William "Bill" Benjamin Wojtas - Funeral Expenses
We are so blessed to have Bill in our lives when we did. Bill meant so much to so many people and we hope that you can help donate to our hopes of having a memorial in both Texas and Chicago. The donations will help with the expenses as well as the costs of flying Meredith to and from Chicago during this time.
William Benjamin “Bill” Wojtas passed away suddenly on July 17, 2020 in
McKinney, Texas. He was born on May 12, 1969 in Chicago, Illinois of Polish
descent. Bill grew up in Chicago and moved to Douglas where he lived until he
finished high school in 1987. That same year he enlisted in the United States
Marine Corps and served nearly eight years until late 1994. Bill was a true patriot
and a Marine through and through. As an Embarkation Specialist and NCO in the
Marines, he was a Military Dangerous Goods Specialist, an advanced load planner
and an instructor. He held numerous positions around the United States and
Okinawa, Japan.
Bill began his commercial career with Nippon Cargo Airlines as a Cargo Sales
Supervisor in 1995 and moved to Pegasus International Freight as Sales Manager
in 2001. In 2002, he joined Northwest Airlines in Commercial and Military Cargo
Operations. When he transitioned to United Airlines in 2010, he worked in
Dangerous Goods, first as a Specialist and then for nine years as Manager. Bill was
recently promoted to Senior Manager, Regulatory Compliance and Dangerous
Goods for United Airlines. He was recognized internationally as an expert in
transportation of hazardous cargo, writing and helping develop policies with IATA
for airline and cargo safety used by airlines around the world. He regularly
consulted with the FAA and Department of Transportation, and most recently was
tapped as one of 25 experts nationally to participate on a Congressional Committee
on lithium batteries. A government colleague said “this devastating news will send
shockwaves throughout the international aviation dangerous goods safety
community—a tight knit group.” Bill's contributions to hazardous cargo policies
and operations have had a direct impact on improving air travel safety for
passengers across the globe.
Bill was active in numerous organizations including the American Legion, Shriners
International - Old Chicago Shrine Club, Medinah Shrine Temple, Chicago,
Illinois; Worshipful Master, Wayfarers Lodge 1001, A.F.A.M. Illinois; Masonic
and Military Order of the Red Cross of Constantine, York Rite Colleges of North
America – Chicago; Thrice Illustrious Master, Council of Cryptic Masons –
Evanston; Past Eminent Commander, Commandery of Knights Templar –
Evanston; Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite – Chicago; Excellent High Priest,
Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Illinois; Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons of Illinois; Charter Member, Lux Lunae 1181, Chicago, Illinois.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of nearly four years, Meredith Spiegel Wojtas;
stepdaughter, Jessica Elizabeth King; stepfather, Dario Henao who gave Bill a
deep appreciation of Hispanic culture; and “adopted brothers”, Ben Davila of
Douglas/Tucson, Arizona and Mac McWilliams of Chicago, Illinois.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Lorraine and William Wojtas.
- Meredith, Jessica, and the Skylark Chess Society