William E. "Bill" Lichtenstein

William E. Lichtenstein Age 99
William "Bill" Ernest Lichtenstein, 99, passed away peacefully October 29, 2025, surrounded by the love of his five children. In his passing, he rejoins his wife of 57 years, Patricia (nee Murray).
Bill was born September 21, 1926 in German Evangelical Deaconess Hospital in Chicago to Loretta (Lyman) and Fred George Lichtenstein. After graduating from St. Rita High School in Chicago, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Marines Corps, training in South Carolina, North Carolina, and finally at Camp Pendleton in California. There, he was waiting to be deployed to Japan when the war ended. Bill was discharged, given $150, and told he could go home. Upon returning to Chicago, Bill, valuing his freedom over routine, declined several career opportunities, including police officer and firefighter. Instead, he worked various jobs, from bartending to transporting cars across country, which eventually led to work as a salmon fisherman in Alaska. In 1952, between his seasonal fisherman job, Bill met the love of his life, Patricia Murray, a secretary for Coca-Cola, who walked in for a "work meeting" at the Chicago tavern where Bill was bartending. They married on May 8, 1954, and went on to have five children: Donna Lichtenstein (Phil Stelnicki), William F. Lichtenstein (Laura Price), Kelly Lichtenstein (Dave Bartik), Trish (Keith) Spengel, and David (Melanie) Lichtenstein. Bill joined the Tile Layers Union Local 67 in 1954, where he dedicated years of hard work and craftsmanship, retiring at age 63. He took great pride in his work and was highly regarded in the trade, cherishing the many lifelong friendships he made. His strong work ethic and love for his craft kept him busy into his 80s. He was always taking on a new project, household task, or something to keep himself active throughout his life. His real passion was "monkeying around" with anything that had a motor - from Harley-Davidsons to Model A Fords. Bill bought his first motorcycle – a 1939 Harley-Davidson – at the age of 18. He was a long-time member of the Model A Restorers Club, restoring an award-winning 1931 Ford Victoria. Along with other Model As, he kept an extensive collection of other cars (mostly convertibles): 1964-65 Mustangs, Karmann Ghias, Falcon Futura, and his favorite - a 1972 Buick Riviera. Bill also had a lifelong love of the open road, traveling around on motorcycles and in campers, especially his 1978 Volkswagen pop-top. In his later years, he cherished his time spent with family near his homes in Palos Park, Johnsburg, and Naples, Fla. He never stopped doing what he loved - driving to and from those homes - having passed his most recent driving and written tests just a week before his 99th birthday. Bill was predeceased by his wife, Patricia (2011), his older brother, Fred, who passed when Bill was 2 years old, and sisters- and brothers-in-law: Virginia (William) Dillon, Eileen (Edward) Ouimet, and Joan (Mike) Murphy. He is survived by his children and six grandchildren: Benjamin and Dane Spengel; Hanna, Austin and Halee Lichtenstein, and Will Lichtenstein. He is remembered fondly by his many nieces and nephews, whom he loved visiting with.
Visitation Tuesday, November 4, 2025 from 9:30 a.m. until time of Prayers 11:15 a.m. at the Robert J. Sheehy & Sons Funeral Home, 9000 W. 151st Street, Orland Park, IL to St. Michael Church, Mass 12:00 p.m.
Interment private
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: Great Lake Adaptive Sports
Association, 27864 Irma Lee Circle, Unit 101, Lake Forest, IL 60045
Please leave a memory for the family on Bill's Tribute Wall; your stories will bring comfort to his family. www.sheehyfh.com 708-857-7878