William Bernard Platz

He was a true officer and a gentleman!

We are sad to announce that our beloved father, William B. Platz, passed away on November 6, 2023 with his family by his side. He was 90 years old. He was born in Chicago, IL to Frank C. and Ida Platz. Dad had one brother, George, who passed away in 2013. He also had a sister, Rosemarie, who died as an infant. When Dad was a young child, the Platz family moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and there he was raised. After high school, he joined the United States Army. He was a distinguished military graduate of Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma in March of 1954. He married the love of his life, Shirley Klavon, in August of 1954. He also graduated from Artillery Basic and Advanced School, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Command and General Staff College. After 40 years of military service, he retired as a Colonel in 1995.

Dad served the country well and his life was greatly influenced by the military. He used to tell us that the military taught him discipline and respect. You could always count on Dad to make sure everyone around him would take off their hats when dining. Even the youngsters! He would also help Mom with her chair at every table and when any woman would come back to the table after using the powder room, he would stand until she was seated. It was important to him to always hold a door for a woman. He was a true example of chivalry.

Upon returning to the Equitable Life Assurance Society after Officer Candidate School, he earned an undergraduate degree from Rockhurst College, a graduate degree from University of Pittsburgh, and a Chartered Life Underwriting designation. Throughout his career, he climbed his way up the ladder to become Vice President of The Equitable. He retired in 1991 and became an avid golfer. He and our mom, Shirley, loved to travel. They drove every winter from New Jersey to Florida stopping along the way to golf together. They also made it a point to take their entire family on regular vacations to Maui and Lake Tahoe. Dad always said we were spending our inheritance with them; making memories.

Bill was preceded in death by Shirley, his cherished wife of 62 years. Together they had three children, Tom Platz of PA, Cheryl Bartlett of Folsom, CA and Mark Platz of Thousand Oaks, CA. They lived in Middletown, New Jersey for the last 34 years of their lives. Dad moved to Folsom in 2018 to be with his children a couple of years after he lost Shirley. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.

Dad had a great sense of humor and loved telling jokes. He played trumpet in The Shaler High School marching band and continued to be musical throughout his life. It came natural to him to sing to the radio in the car and to tap the "fake drums" on the table. We also all remember Dad constantly whistling a tune. And boy could he whistle-just like a bird! He never wavered from having an upbeat attitude and we all lived by his mantra, "Don't sweat the small stuff."

Dad was always the rock of the family. Not only was he an example to all of his children, he gave us the gift of believing in us. His loving motivation carried us throughout our adulthood. We will miss him dearly, but he will forever be in our hearts.

A service will be held on January 4, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Miller Funeral Home, 507 Scott Street, Folsom, CA. On January 5, 2024 at 9:00 am he will receive full Military Honors at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Rd. Dixon, CA. At the military cemetery, William and Shirley will be interred together.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, a charity near and dear to both Shirley and Bill.