William Robert Kilcourse

1922 - 2013

William Robert (Bob) Kilcourse

May 3, 1922

May 14, 2013

Bob passed away peacefully on May 14th at Renown Regional Medical Center after a brief illness at the age of 91. Born in Everett, MA to Joseph and Marguerite Mary (Daily) Kilcourse, Bob was one of five children, including brothers Charles, Joseph, and Richard and sister Katherine Patricia. He is survived by his wife of 67 years Marianna Gabrielle (Countie) Kilcourse and together they raised six children, Marianna Jr., Brian, Kevin, Katherine, Robert, and Christopher.

Bob proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy for 22 years, retiring as a Commander in the Supply Corps in 1963. Bob served during World War II (as radioman on the flagship of the Atlantic fleet USS Vixen), the Korean War, Lebanon (1958), and during the early years of the Vietnam War. While serving in the Navy, he achieved a BS degree from Holy Cross College (1945) and an MBA from Harvard Graduate School of Business (1958). At Holy Cross, he was editor of the Holy Cross Yearbook "Cross and Anchor" and Valedictorian of his graduating class.

Following his retirement from the Navy, Bob worked in senior management at Northrop Aviation, The University of California, The State University of New York (SUNY) and Washoe County (where he retired). Following retirement, he continued to serve Washoe County on the Washoe County Personnel Committee and Board of Equalization.

Bob will always be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, and the consummate business professional. His life is a wonderful example of what is considered "The Greatest Generation". Raised with his brothers and sister in relative poverty by his mother Marguerite, during the Great Depression, his fortunes changed for the better when he joined the Navy at the beginning of WWII, and in 1943 was approved for a college program leading to a commission by Adm. Royal E. Ingersoll, Commander-in-Chief of the Atlantic Fleet. Although "home" was always the Boston area, Bob, Marianna, and their children had happy experiences at his many duty stations, which included New Orleans, Falls Church and Norfolk, VA, Yokosuka, Japan, and Great Lakes, IL. Following his retirement from the Navy, Bob, Marianna and the family moved to California, and ultimately to Reno, NV.

Bob is pre-deceased by his brothers Charles and Richard, sister Katherine Patricia, daughter Katherine, and grandsons Brendan and Patrick Roberts.

A memorial Mass will be held for Bob on June 1, 2013 at Our Lady of Snows Catholic Church at 1 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice in memory of Bob.

Please leave a condolence message in the "Book of Memories" at www.waltonsfuneralhomes.com