7/20/1937 - 7/10/2023
Vasilios (Bill) Mantzaris, (85) of Omaha, Nebraska, passed away on July 10, 2023.
Vasilios, fondly known as Bill, was born in Piraeus, Greece on July 20, 1937 to George & Olympia Mantzaris. He came to the United States and lived in Brooklyn, New York to attend high school. After his schooling he would go on to join the United States Air Force and was stationed at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska. Following his service, he went on to marry Karan Ford. They would have 7 children: Nik, Jim, Mike, Jeff, Mark, Gina and Lisa. He continued his education and proudly graduated from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Post-graduation, he was a Cost Accountant at Blue Star Foods/Conagra for 20+ years. He later moved into a new profession in Quality Assurance at 3M, retiring in early 2000. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, brother-in-law and uncle. He always enjoyed spending time with his family. He was an exceptional cook and spent many hours in the kitchen preparing meals for the large family get-togethers. He was warm, kind and was told by many he had the “patience of a saint”. He was a member of St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church and spent many years volunteering for their annual Greek Festival and served on the Church Board. He volunteered for the Nebraska Special Olympics and delivered food to the elderly with “Meals on Wheels”, and gave much of his time not only to his family but to help people in the community. He had a passion for sports, playing soccer for several years with the Omaha Flames, was an avid Husker fan but more importantly, the Chicago Cubs #1 fan.
Preceded in death by his parents, George & Olympia Mantzaris, sister Fanny Katsia and wife, Karan Ford-Mantzaris.
Survived by sister: Catherine Chrisomalis. Children: Nik Mantzaris, James Mantzaris, Mike Mantzaris (Jacque), Jeff Mantzaris, Mark Mantzaris (Lezli), Gina Mantzaris, Lisa Theiler (Bill). Grandchildren: Katina, Andrew, Lilliana, Taylor, Ryan, Danielle, Sam, Camren, Dylan, Alex, & Zack. Great-grandchildren: Carson, Loraine, Merrilee, Ben, Noah, Lianna, Kamari. Countless nieces, nephews, extended family and loving friends.
Visitation: Thursday, July 13, from 5-7 pm, with a Trisagion (Prayer) Service at 7 pm, at Braman Mortuary Southwest Chapel, 6505 S. 144th St., Omaha, NE
Funeral Mass: Friday, July 14 at 10:30 am at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, 602 Park Ave., Omaha, NE
Interment: Evergreen Cemetery with full military honors
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