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William Czaja Obituary
Bill was a committed employee of Optum (United Healthcare) and had a successful career there. He was well-respected by his peers and will be remembered as a hard-working and dedicated employee.
Bill worshipped at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, IL. Go White Sox!
No services are planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating blood.
To find a center near you, please check this website: https://versiti.org/blood-donation-locations .
Monetary donations can be given as well.
Bill is survived by his wife, Jean, son, Ryan, & daughter, Lauren. His father, Thomas, his brother and family, Brian & Shelly, McKenzie, Luke, Madalynn, will also miss him dearly. His in-laws, the Zopel family, will also greatly miss him. He was loved by aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins as well. He was preceded in death by his mother Dierdra Czaja, grandparents, Mary and Thomas Czaja, & Bill and Ruth Irwin.
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Deb Hodgett
July 16, 2023
The Hodgett family has the best Wildcat baseball memories of Bill. He was often the glue that held the coaches together, as well as the team's number one fan and supporter. Bill was always easy to be with, willing to pitch in or have a beer after the game with the coaches & families. Sending Jean, Ryan and Lauren big hugs. Deb, Dave, Ryan & Tyler Hodgett
Venkata Ramineni
July 14, 2023
Deepest condolences to Bill's family, My heart goes out to you all at this difficult time.
I am Shattered and devastated to hear that we lost Bill and to believe that he is not with us anymore. Lost my beloved manager, friend, mentor and a brother. He never had a situation that he cannot handle smoothly always calm cool, brave, caring and supportive. A very rare personality you can find in this world. Thank you Bill for Everything best you provided all of us.
Fernando Trejo
June 29, 2023
Deepest condolences to Bill's family. Aside from a great and long time colleague, I enjoyed running into Bill and with him at several Chase Corporate Challenge 5Ks along with other great colleagues. I last ran into Bill recently at the office and had a good chat, talking about the old days at SXC. He will be missed and may he rest in peace.
Justin Hammond
June 29, 2023
Bill was and will always be the best manager I´ll have in my career! He was an amazing person and human being who only saw the best in people - "always assume positive intent" he was say to me regardless of the situation. I really wish I would have had to opportunity to meet him in person! He was more than my manager, he was a great friend and mentor! He truly cared about all of us, wanted to see all of us succeed in life and be happy. He always had a positive outlook on life and shined bright even in the darkest times! He will be greatly missed by many.
May you rest in peace my friend
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Praveen Kulkarni
June 29, 2023
Deepest condolences to his family. Rest in Peace.
Carol Allain
June 29, 2023
Oh Bill... this is so sad for me to hear this. You were a great mentor when we worked together at Catamaran before it become Optum. May your family find peace in your passing and please guide them from above.
Anastasia Karovic (Rowe)
June 28, 2023
So sorry to hear this sad news. He was a very nice kid when I knew him in elementary, middle and high school. So sorry for your loss. May he rest in eternal peace.
Liz Freeman
June 28, 2023
Jean and family, I knew Bill in high school and I am very sorry to hear about his passing. As a young man he was always smart, funny, kind, and caring - someone you always wanted in your group! It is no surprise to come here and see the heartfelt notes from others that knew him as a grown up. It is clear that he had a positive impact throughout his life. He sounds like a wonderful manager, colleague and no doubt he was an excellent family-centered man. Please take care -
John Walsh
June 28, 2023
To Bill's family, I was so sad to hear of his passing. I had the pleasure to work with Bill on several projects and he was just a great guy. I knew I liked him even more when we'd run into each other at the same restaurants. Go Sox!
Liz Carlson
June 28, 2023
I had the opportunity to work closely with Bill for a few years on a software conversion initiative, and can say he was such a great person to work with. So calm, and funny, he always made sure that the team was good, especially in high stress situations. I am so saddened by this news, and send my deepest condolences to his friends and family.
Savita
June 28, 2023
Very saddened to hear his demise. He was an amazing and a very caring and passionate leader. I feel fortunate to work with him. May his soul rest in peace. Deepest condolences to his family.
Will miss you Bill
Ryan Schmidt
June 27, 2023
Jean and Family,
Our deepest condolences on your loss. Bill was a salt of the earth guy who would give you the shirt off of his back if you needed it. I have known Bill since about the 4th grade when his family moved to Algonquin. We battled it out on the baseball field early on, but became fast friends despite my love of his hated Cubs. After high school, we drifted apart a bit, but bumped into each other at weddings, funerals and fantasy football drafts. He would always be the first to greet me with a boisterous "Schmidty's here!" I was just devastated to learn of his passing. He will be sorely missed.
Larry & Colleen Prince (Pa & Ta)
June 26, 2023
Lauren & Family,
Our sincere condolences to you & your family on the passing of your father. Our hearts ache for you. We pray that your many, many fond memories will bring you some comfort in times ahead.
Much love, Larry & Colleen Prince (Pa & Ta)
Nanette Paulson
June 26, 2023
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Seema Pandit
June 26, 2023
I am so saddened to hear of his demise . Always felt like I had a protection shield with him on our side as manager. We lost amazing and caring leader with him, who always listened more then talk. Never hesitated to share and discuss anything with him that's how he made me feel secure in my job . I feel very empty and tough to deal with this fact.. May his soul rest in peace and he will be dearly missed.
Prashant
June 26, 2023
I was shattered to hear about Bill during my afternoon. He was very calm and astonishing us the way he is handling this big team. Whenever I had weekly discussion with Bill it was very casual I never felt like he was my boss rather than best friend. He trust me since beginning of this project whatever situation bad or good always with me. Bill is one and only ever had best and amazing manager in my life and left very positive knock out on me for entire life. Entire day I was keep recalling discussion which I had about Bill health. I was very positive whenever I was hearing Bill voice in weekly connect. Never imagined life is too short. Feeling like hollowness. I will miss you Bill forever and his void ness will be irreparable. He is one of the best so far ever had in my life. My deepest condolence to Bill family. May god give them strength in this tough situation.
Carl Collin
June 26, 2023
During my time at Optum, Bill was a friend, a confidant, and one of the hardest working persons I ever met. I will miss him greatly, and my regards go out to his family.
Tim Collins
June 26, 2023
Bill was such a bright light and radiated his soft spirit to the world. He was my manager at Optum and for the short time that I knew him we became close. He had beaten the cancer but then it returned. I will see you again Bill, you're one of a kind and thank you for everything.
Barbara Kowalski
June 25, 2023
My deepest sympathy to you Jean and your family and unwavering support.
Wishing you peace,comfort, courage,and lots of love at this time of sorrow.My heart goes out to you at this difficult time.Wishing you the best and know you have full support in every moment. I am thinking of you and your family and I´m here for you if you need anything.
I will always remember William as a nice and quiet man , he will be missed.
Vaughn Jeffers
June 25, 2023
Bill hired me many years ago and has been the best manager of my career. Bill taught me quite a bit about the industry and life. He is possibly the only person I've experienced with the combined qualities of knowledge, calm in any situation, respectful and definitely most positive person. He always said there is a solution to everything. Work was always enjoyable even during the rough times. This is 100% credited to Bill. He was gifted as a manager. Losing Bill is one of my most painful experiences, but I am truly happy I had the opportunity to work for him. Most of all, experience his positive attitude and, above all, friendship.
Bal Saini
June 25, 2023
Hello There,
I got a chance to work for Bill few years ago and trust me when I say this that after being in corporate world for about 20 years, I met a real nice boss who was down to earth. He was a great mentor and I got an opportunity to learn a lot under his leadership.
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