William Wilson Engelke (b. 10/5/43) of Bowling Green, Ohio passed away at Wood Haven Health Care on September 11th after a prolonged illness. He was born on October 5, 1943 in Toledo, Ohio to Charlotte Rose (Wilson) and William Henry Engelke. He was preceded in death by his sister Kris Skornia of Boyne City, Michigan, and his nephew, Paul Skornia of Detroit, MI. Mr. Engelke is survived by his daughters, Rachel Engelke of Windsor, CT and Erin Engelke (Shane Kaser) of Portland, OR; his sister, Ronnie Alff of Traverse City, MI; numerous nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews; and his ex-wife and loving guardian, Mary Natvig of Bowling Green, Ohio.
Bill graduated from Woodward High School in 1961 and attended the University of Toledo. In the mid 1960s he served in Alaska with VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America). In 2003, he fulfilled his lifelong goal of finishing his education with a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies from Bowling Green State University.
Bill was best known as a classical music host and former Music Director of Toledo’s public radio station, WGTE (91.3). Signing on just before the station’s debut in May of 1976, Bill had many duties during his 25 years at the station; he hosted an early morning show, Da Capo, as well as an afternoon show from noon to 4:00 PM; he produced Toledo and Ann Arbor Symphony concerts for broadcast, and interviewed countless guest artists passing through Toledo. His voice was well-recognized as a symbol of classical music in Toledo. Most of his former listeners would be surprised to find out that he began his radio career by reading the news for a rock ‘n’ roll station in Flint, Michigan.
In his retirement, Bill learned to repair, bind, and make books, which he undertook with skill and enthusiasm, apprenticing with a bookbinder in Florence, Italy in the summer of 2011.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Tuesday September 19, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Dunn Funeral Home, located in the Historical District of Bowling Green at 408 West Wooster Street. Pastor Fred Hascke will officiate. Visitation will begin Tuesday morning at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be given to WGTE FM Radio, 1270 S. Detroit Ave. P.O. Box 30, Toledo, Ohio 43614 or The William W. Engelke Scholarship for Music Students at Bowling Green State University
To share an online condolence with the family please visit www.dunnfuneralhome.com.
