William Joseph Koch

William Joseph Koch, “Wild Bill” passed from this earth on April 14th 2017.  Bill was born to William and Helen Koch on December 9th 1955 in Queens New York where he lived most of his adult life.  Bill led a very crazy-adventurous- life, thus giving him the nickname “Wild Bill”.  After running his own roofing company in New York, Bill decided to get out of the Big Apple and moved to Utah to join his family.  Bill led a life where he was constantly meeting new people and creating new friends, this seemed like his life goal.  Bill didn’t like the cold and was always on the search for his permanent home, a place where he would fit in and his strong personality would be accepted.  He eventually found his way into North Carolina and nestled into a home on the beach where he would spend each day soaking up the sun and creating new friendships. Bill loved the sun and his favorite thing in the world to do was lay out and just be free.  Bill found a woman who had the same lifestyle as he and he fell in love and eventually married, her name was Shirley Mae.

After the death of his wife, Bill found his way back to Utah where he continued to live for most of his life.  Bill relied on his beloved sister Patricia Heck for support and assistance in everything he did; he called her as much as 3-4 times a day just to have an ear to listen to him.  Bill always had a crazy story to tell you (in his strong New York accent), he would run into and meet some of the most colorful people you could imagine, yet he always made everyone laugh and feel loved.  Bill always told stories all the while laughing at him-self; he never seemed to take things to serious.

Bill was a musician and had a great talent playing the guitar; he also had a talent to sing amazingly. Bill recently spent his last Thanksgiving with family doing what he loved to do, play music, hang out with family, and laughing.  We are thankful he got to spend this time with his family; he had one of the best nights of his life that night and couldn’t stop talking about how much fun he had.  Near the end of his life he was going to the Gym and trying to manage his health, he always joked that he had to look good for the ladies.  He lived every day trying to be as positive as he knew how, making more friends, and taking each day as it was handed to him.

Bill left this earth leaving behind many people who will always remember his wild carefree spirit.  He was a man who lived simple and it didn’t take much to make him happy, the smallest gift given to him meant the world.  To those who knew Bill from the outside as “Wild Bill” only seen the fun, crazy, Bill, but those close to him knew he had challenges and struggles he faced daily. Life was rough for him and he often times struggled to get by, but he relied heavily on the Bible and his Lord to get him through his struggles and temptations.  Bill was always preaching the Lord and his word to everyone that he came into. Without fail he would trip up, but he always reverted back to the Bible and its scriptures to keep him somewhat grounded.

Bill is survived by his two children William Koch and Nadia Singh; Brothers Richard (Linda) Koch, Robert (Theresa) Koch, his Sisters Patricia Heck, and Marie Thompson.  Bill leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and cousins who will miss him dearly.  Bill is preceded in death by his Father William Koch, his Mother Helen Koch, his Brother Ronnie Koch, and his wife Shirley Koch.

“Seek Ye First” - The kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added

At this time no services will be held, a small gathering will be held at a later date to celebrate and honor his life.