William Daniel Shishkowsky, 87, of Landrum, died Sunday, Dec. 12 in the Hospice House, Landrum. Born July 23, 1923 in Manhattan, New York, Bill was the son of the late Daniel and Mary Shishkowsky of New York. Bill was the oldest of three boys growing up in the Bronx with his brothers Peter and Milton Shishkowsky. &bsp;

In 1946, as a young man, Bill met the love of his life Rose Marie Evola and started building their lifelong partnership by becoming husband and wife on April 30, 1949. &bsp;

After retiring from a lifelong career as a self employed diamond setter in New York in 1986, Bill and his wife Rose relocated to Western North Carolina where he loved fishing, swimming and being outdoors. Bill was an amazing and kind man. He played the accordion and spoke Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Italian and Spanish. He was a member of the Columbus Congregation of Jehovahs Witnesses.

Surviving are his wife, Rose Marie Shishkowsky of the home; four children, Daniel William Shishkowsky (Mary Ellen) of Bonnie Lake, WA, Deborah Marie Stanislawek (John) of Calverton, NY, Diane Marie Boland (Mike) of West Islip, NY, and Michael William Shishkowsky (Rebecca) of Wellington, FL. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren; Nicholas and Cody Shishkowsky of Washington, Rachel Stanislawek of New York, Lauren and Mike Salatti, Angella, Michael and Lindsey Boland of New York, Kyle, Trevor, Jacob and Logan Shishkowsky of Florida and two great-grandchildren, Michael Salatti and Ava Boland of New York.

A memorial service was held on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovahs Witnesses on Skyuka Road.