William Edward Boharski, 51

William Edward Boharski, 51, passed away as the result of an accident on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012, in Kalispell. 

William was the sixth of seven children born to George and Margaret Boharski in Chicago, on Sept. 8, 1961.  

The Boharskis moved to Kalispell in 1966. William attended Russell School, Linderman, Kalispell Junior High School, and graduated from Flathead High School in 1979. 

During his senior year at Montana State University, he was involved in a car accident that rendered him quadriplegic for the remainder of his life. Following surgery in Billings and rehabilitation at Craig Hospital in Denver, William returned to MSU and graduated in 1985. 

William held his first position as a mechanical engineer at Rockwell International in California. After returning to Kalispell in 1986, William co-owned and operated a small business in downtown Kalispell, worked as an engineer at Semitool, represented the Flathead Valley for five terms in the Montana State Legislature and served as mayor of Kalispell. 

William was a member of the Flathead Valleyaires chorus for many years, was an active member of St. Matthew's Parish, served on the parish council and taught at Flathead Valley Community College. 

William recently spent three years in recovery and rehabilitation in the state of Washington from complications of severe pneumonia. He returned to his home in Kalispell earlier this year.

William overcame tremendous physical limitations to achieve extraordinary accomplishments. He was blessed by innumerable caring people who made his journey possible, including his many caregivers, friends and medical personnel on whom he depended, and without whom he would have been unable to achieve so much and inspire so many. Among those deserving special thanks are Dan, Aaron, Harry, Tansy and Steve. A special thanks to Ray Thompson for his exceptional generosity.

William was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret. 

He is survived by his father, George; siblings, Eileen, Michael, Jennifer, Lorrie, Steve and his wife April, and David; and by his loving girlfriend, Ione Alcantar. His many nieces and nephews, Chris, Meagan and husband Aaron, Joshua, Molly, Jacob, Ryan, Morgan, Katie, Julia, Andrew, Jared, Makenzie, Emma, Dani, Asher and Brooks, have fond memories of the joy Uncle Bill had when they were riding on the back of his wheelchair as children.  

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21; please bring your memories and stories to share from 6 to 7 p.m. The rosary will begin at 7 p.m. All will take place at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. 

A Funeral Mass will be offered at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 22, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church. Interment will be at Glacier Memorial Gardens immediately following. 

For those who wish to make a donation, please consider Craig Hospital Foundation, 3425 S. Clarkson Street, Englewood, CO 80113.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for William's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view William's guest book, offer condolences and share memories.