William Joseph Dudzienski, age 78 of Royse City, TX, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on December 12, 2022, after a courageous 4-year battle with cancer. He was born April 24, 1944, in Chicago, Illinois to Frank and Anne (Klimczak) Dudzienski, deceased. He was also preceded in death by his younger brother Robert Dudzienski.

William is survived by sister Victoria (Dudzienski) Heintz, his half-brother F. Roger James, daughters: Diana Dudzienski, Deborah Dudzienski, Barbara Dudzienski, Karin (Dudzienski) Davis and son-in-law Justin Davis. He has 9 grandchildren, Tyler and Abigale Davis, Ronald, Keannna, Michael, Lynae, Christoper, James and Jenaya Dudzienski, as well as 3 great-grandchildren Ruquan, Ruheim and Rukeem. He is also survived by nieces and nephews Kelly (David) Hobbs, Vickie (Doug) Padon, Michael (Leah) Knighton, Scott (Rebecca) Knighton, Daniel (Amanda) Heintz and James Dudzienski. There are numerous great nephews and nieces, other family members, and friends that will feel the weight of his absence.

William attended school in Naperville, Illinois. After his schooling was complete, he enlisted in the US Army in September of 1961. He was in Company A, 2 nd Battalion, 101 st Airborne, 502 nd Infantry, Third US Army. While enlisted, he received the Parachutist Badge, Expert Badge (Rifle) and Marksman Badge (M-1 Rifle). He was honorably discharged in September of 1964.

After his discharge, William went on to become a union carpenter through the Chicago District Council of Carpenters, Local 1889. He wore many hats during his construction career in the Chicagoland area most notably contributing to the construction of the Willis (Sears) Tower. He retired, and at the time of his passing, he had 45 years of service with the union. Retirement did not slow him down. William continued sharing his wealth of building knowledge with customers at Home Depot. When he fully embraced retirement, he moved south away from the Illinois winters and spent his final years in Corpus Christi, Texas. There, he lived life on his schedule and built a small network of friends and acquaintances in his apartment community and through his daily afternoon outings to local retail establishments.

He had a lifelong love affair with sports and enjoyed playing football, softball, and golf in addition to acting as softball umpire. He was an accomplished gambler and a master of sarcasm. Bill was always up for a good prank especially if it involved startling those he loved! He could take it as well as dish it out which endeared him to those who knew him well. Bill's twinkling eye and captivating smile will be forever treasured. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.

At his request, there will be no services. William will be cremated and has asked that his ashes be spread at the ballfields he played on in Aurora, Illinois, as well as a local construction site in the Chicagoland area. In lieu of cards or flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or a veteran's organization in his honor.

The family extends their sincere gratitude to Jenny, Ashley and Chaplain Tommy, the hospice care providers, who allowed Bill to move through life's final transition with dignity, comfort, and humor during his final months with family in Royse City, Texas.

Below you will find an online guest book where you may post a word of condolence, a fond memory, or even a photo; we look forward to your wonderful entries.