William Kovacs

Bill Kovacs passed away peacefully on Sept. 15, 2005, after a long battle with cancer. Bill was born on May 11, 1931, in Budapest, Hungary, where he lived until 1957. He was a Freedom Fighter in the Hungarian Revolution before he made his escape to the United States. Bill came to this country with nothing and knowing no English. After spending three days on a boat waiting to be let into the United States, his new journey began in New York City. He learned to speak English by watching the television. Bill was a jazz drummer and toured the country with some very well-known jazz bands. His playing was a large part of his life and he loved traveling. He was called to Denver, Colo., by a friend to play at a night club and liked the town so much he ended up residing there for some time. Denver, Colo., is where he received his U.S. Citizenship in 1965. Bill also met and married Sharon Cave on New Year's Eve that same years. Together and with other band members, they traveled the country and he played in various clubs until 1969 when they decided to start a family. Bill and Sharon then moved to Springfield, Mo. Bill went to work at French's in 1971 and that is also when they adopted their first child, Laura. Michael followed in 1974. Although Bill and Sharon divorced in later years, they remained close friends until his death. Bill was preceded in death by his father, Istvan Kovacs his mother, Ilona Bodnar Kovacs and his brother, Istvan Kovacs. He is survived by his daughter, Laura Wilson and her husband, Todd his son, William Michael Kovacs and his wife, Angel one granddaughter, Chloe Kovacs two very close friends, Sharon and Perry Rogers and so many other wonderful friends. Visitation will be at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home today, Sept. 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. A celebration of his life will be Monday, Sept. 19 at 10 a.m. in Gorman-Scharpf with burial in Hazelwood Cemetery.