Obituary
William S. Kaplan, 88, Army Veteran, Most beloved husband, partner and friend of Sherry Kaplan (nee Herman). Cherished father of Laura (Michael) Zoretich and Joy Calisoff ( Sean Bello) and Adam (Nikki) Calisoff. Adored grandfather of Zachary Zoretich, Alexis Zoretich, Roman Bello and Sky Bello, Jack Calisoff, Ben Calisoff, Sam Calisoff and Aaron Calisoff. Dear brother Allen (Cheryl) Kaplan and Brenda (Jeff) Gilman and the late Melvin Kaplan.
Bill was born and raised on the West Side of Chicago. He had his first job on Maxwell Street at age 13. He graduated from Marshall Highschool and then attended the University of Illinois in Chicago. Bill had an especially close relationship with his daughter Laura. He belonged to a group called the" Old Vest Side" that meets once a year. They sent enough money each time to buy an ambulance for Mogen David Adom in Israel. Bill helped build the first Condominiums in the United States and later very successfully managed the Highland Park office of Coldwell Banker. When he left Coldwell Banker Bill bought "House of Realty" in Lincolnwood. Then Bill and Sherry moved to Riverwoods, IL. After over 55 years in real estate Bill thought it was time to retire, but it was not that easy. He got up to speak at a Village meeting on rezoning and people were so impressed with what he had to say that they asked him to sit on the Riverwoods Village Board of Trustees. A few month later the Mayor of the Village had a heart attack and died. Since Bill was the only retired man on the Village Board they asked him to be the interim Mayor for one year. During that year Bill created a Police Department, moved a branch of the Fire Department into the Village itself, and brought in sewer and water. He was re-elected 4 times and was Mayor of Riverwoods for 13 years.
Bill loved to fish. He had a boat he loved called the Spider in Winthrop Harbor, Wisconsin. He went fishing at 5:00 a.m. every Saturday morning. He loved to play poker every Thursday night. He enjoyed going to the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra (SASO) concerts and was President of the Jewish Friendship Group and was a member of the IJSS newly named Congregation B'nai Midbar. Memorials to Parkinson's Association of Southern Arizona, www.parkinson.org/events/2023/pd101-tucson or Oracle Schools Foundation, www.oracleschoolsfoundation.com. Graveside service Tuesday, March 19, 12:00 PM at Shalom Memorial Park, 1700 W. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. For information, including a link to view the service, shiva, and to leave condolences, www.shalommemorial.org or (847) 255-3520.