Bill James Kalivas

1930 - 2018

Bill James Kalivas
March 22, 1930 - April 25, 2018
"I did it my way"
Bill James Kalivas, 88 of Pocatello, Idaho passed away Wednesday April 25, 2018 surrounded by his family after a long battle with gastric cancer.
He was born March 22,1930, in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to the late James and Efthemia Mandros Kalivas.
Bill graduated from Green River High School in 1948. He attended the University of Wyoming in Laramie, later transferring to Idaho State University where he played basketball for three years for the Bengals. He worked for Albertsons and for the UPRR as a signal maintenance helper while attending school at ISU.
In 1951, he married Phyllis Lake in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 1953, Bill and Phyllis were married in the Greek Orthodox Church. Together they had three children, Rose, Barb, and John. Phyllis passed away August 31, 1993. He married Cheryl Wheeler; they were later divorced.
Bill worked for the Bechtel Corporation while living in Green River. He was later transferred to SLC with Bechtel where he and his family lived for one year. In 1954 Bill and his family moved back to Green River so that he could manage "The Handy Store" for his brother John. In 1958 he was called to help his sister Ann in Pocatello and had lived there ever since.
Bill was an entrepreneur at heart. Over the years he owned and operated the RKD bar, the Wyoming Bar, the Cedars Night Club, the Bomb Cellar, Fred and Kellys, Three Amigos Mexican Restaurant, the Greek Gyro and most currently the Pressbox. He traveled around the West with his Gyro Wagons, selling gyros and curly fries, and making lifetime friends from all over the U.S..
Bill had a passion for broadcast radio; he announced high school and college games. He also spent three years announcing football games for Idaho State University.
Bill had a love for sports. He was fortunate to attend many games over the years both at the college and NFL level. He was a loyal Wyoming Cowboy Fan, Go Pokes!
Bill enjoyed spending winters in Mesquite, Nevada where he had a beautiful home and many great friends. He learned to love the game of golf, although he said he wasn't very good at it. He did get a Hole in One at the Palms Golf Club, Mesquite, Nevada January 28, 2014. He sponsored many golf tournaments in Pocatello and Laughlin, Nevada. He was able to attend his Laughlin Tournament this past March where he had over 100 golfers attend.
Bill traveled to Greece several times to visit Logga, his parents home village. He had a love for Hawaii and was able visit every island except Hawaii.
Bill was a member of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church. He was a member of the Elks Club, the Bengal Foundation, and the F.A.T. Club. He was also a Charter member of the Pocatello Civitan Club.
Survivors include his daughters Rose Gallegos (Ron), Barbara Borrowman (Darrell), and son John Kalivas (Erica). 10 Grandchildren and 10 Great Grandchildren with one on the way and many Nieces and Nephews.
Bill is proceeded in death by wife Phyllis, his parents, James and Efthemia, brothers John, Tony, Steve, George, Gus and one sister Ann Karellas.
The family of Bill Kalivas respectfully suggests that donations be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 42040 Oklahoma City, OK 73123 or the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church PO Box 4567 Pocatello, ID 83205.
The family would like to thank Dr. Callaghan and Dr. Ririe, (Portneuf Cancer Center); Hospice nurse Jill Norby, (Heritage Home Health Services); 24 hour care giver Michelle Donovan, (Happiest at Home); and the many friends for their visits, phone calls, and text messages.
Trisagion services will be at 6 p.m., Monday, April 30, 2018 at Downard Funeral Home, 241 N. Garfield, in Pocatello.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 518 N. 5th Avenue, Pocatello. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery, Pocatello, Idaho.


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