Ilko William "Bill" Kowalenko

Ilko William "Bill" Kowalenko

Ilko William "Bill" Kowalenko died November 29, 2025, at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, Illinois. He was born on August 2, 1937. He lived a full life while facing challenges few of us rarely experience.

He was born the son of Fedor Kowalenko and Maria Nezdominiha, in the Donbas region of Ukraine.

On August 7, 1960, Bill married Carol Ann Fife. She survives.

Bill attended Bayside High School, the Academy of Aeronautics in New York, and Indiana Technical College, where he earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering. He became a manager of industrial plants in North Bergen, NJ; Charlotte, MI; New Orleans, LA; Waco, TX; and Toledo, OH. He advanced to global operations and traveled worldwide sharing his expertise in glass production and furnace operations.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, Fedor Kowalenko and Maria Nezdominiha; his sister, Zorina; and his brothers, Anatoly and Konstanyn; and his son-in-law, Paul Ross. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Carol Kowalenko, née Fife, of Glen Carbon, Illinois; his daughter, Lisa Kowalenko, of New York, New York; and his son, Stephen Kowalenko (Christine), of Edwardsville. He was a loving grandfather, and is survived by his grandchildren, Ivan Kowalenko Ross, Sophia, Sydney, and Luke Kowalenko, and Carter Linn.

Services for Bill will take place on December 10, 2025, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Barry Wilson Funeral Home in Maryville, Illinois, is assisting the family.

http://www.barrywilsonfuneralhome.com/