Name: William “Bill GTO” Nawrot

Service Branch: United States Army

Years of Service: 1968-1970

Rank: Spec 4

Member: 132nd Assault Support Helicopter Co

Battle Region/War: Chu Lai, Vietnam

Awards: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal

The Western Springs Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10778 announces the Grand Marshal and date for the Western Springs Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2026. Bill Nawrot will serve as the parade’s Grand Marshal.

Parade Grand Marshal

Located in Vietnam’s Quảng Nam Province, Chu Lai was a United States Marine Corps military base, operational from 1965 to 1970, which included an airfield to support military operations during the Vietnam War.

Joining the service ranks in Aug of 1968, Bill enlisted in the Army on his 19th birthday. He was assigned to the Flight Line in Chu Lai, Vietnam, from Feb 1969 to April 1970, as part of a 5-man mechanics crew. Bill was charged with major and minor maintenance repairs, for 12 CH-47 Chinook helicopters completing a scheduled rotation for parts replacement every 100 hrs. Sporadically, the Flight Line was under mortar fire from the Vietnamese forces.

On Apr 1970, Bill was discharged from Army Service. Bill returned to Illinois to his previous job at Illinois Bell Telephone. He worked at Bell Telephone for 27 years as an outside communications technician. After Bell Telephone, Bill began a second career at MCI/Verizon where he worked for 12 years until retirement in 2010.

Bill was part of the “Operation Support The Troops America” in Naperville, IL. Since joining the Western Springs VFW in 2014, Bill has worked with the Memorial Day Parade Committee where he creates the 4-page parade program, and coordinates the vehicles where veterans ride during the parade.

Bill is married to Patti, and they are parents to 4 children, 12 grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. Bill and Patti are avid classic car collectors with 2 Pontiac GTO, a Lincoln Town Car, and 2 Mustangs.

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Resources for Better Senior Living

Resources for Better Senior Living

Stock Market closes at all time high

Stock Market closes at all time high

Boy Scouts to Hold Spring Recruitment Events Offering the Fun and Excitement of Scouting to Youth and Families

Boy Scouts to Hold Spring Recruitment Events Offering the Fun and Excitement of Scouting to Youth and Families

Five Things You Should Know About Standardized Tests

Five Things You Should Know About Standardized Tests

Home Remedies for the Garden

Home Remedies for the Garden

Memory Bridge Battles Dementia Through the Benefits of Intergenerational Bonding

Memory Bridge Battles Dementia Through the Benefits of Intergenerational Bonding

Party Patter: Italian Themed Party Ideas ( Video )

Party Patter: Italian Themed Party Ideas ( Video )

Party Patter: Are You Tent Savvy?

Party Patter: Are You Tent Savvy?

Take time to enjoy our long-awaited spring

Take time to enjoy our long-awaited spring

New Plants for 2014

New Plants for 2014

Changing thought - changing bodies

Changing thought - changing bodies

Still Time to Sign Up for Robert Crown Scavenger Hunt in Downtown Hinsdale

Still Time to Sign Up for Robert Crown Scavenger Hunt in Downtown Hinsdale

Free Car Care Safety Clinic for Seniors

Free Car Care Safety Clinic for Seniors

Closet Audit Revelations

Closet Audit Revelations

Birches’ “Bunnies and Baskets” Brightens Up Easter Season for Children in Need

Birches’ “Bunnies and Baskets” Brightens Up Easter Season for Children in Need

The Birches Explores the Brain-Boosting Benefits of Red Wine

The Birches Explores the Brain-Boosting Benefits of Red Wine

2013 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers

2013 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers

Correction: Boy Scouts Launch New, Improved Web Site Offering Expanded Information & Service to Youth and Families

Correction: Boy Scouts Launch New, Improved Web Site Offering Expanded Information & Service to Youth and Families

Boy Scouts Launch New, Improved Web Site Offering Expanded Information & Service to Youth and Families

Boy Scouts Launch New, Improved Web Site Offering Expanded Information & Service to Youth and Families

Maybe It Will Really Be Spring Now – Help Your Neighbor!!

Maybe It Will Really Be Spring Now – Help Your Neighbor!!

Pansies & Violas: Strong & Bright

Pansies & Violas: Strong & Bright

Gain More Livable Space In Your Home Without An Addition

Gain More Livable Space In Your Home Without An Addition

The College Essay: The Secret to Getting Into All the Ivies?

The College Essay: The Secret to Getting Into All the Ivies?

The Birches Embraces Cultural Diversity for International Week

The Birches Embraces Cultural Diversity for International Week

Vocalist Nora Drysch Brings Big Band to The Birches

Vocalist Nora Drysch Brings Big Band to The Birches

Why 95% of people fail when it comes to losing weight

Why 95% of people fail when it comes to losing weight

Parkinson's disease reaches beyond the patient

Parkinson's disease reaches beyond the patient

Spotlight On: Strawberries

Spotlight On: Strawberries

Trend of the Week - Peep Toe Booties

Trend of the Week - Peep Toe Booties

Chicago Row House Wins Design Award

Chicago Row House Wins Design Award

50 Safest Cities in Illinois

50 Safest Cities in Illinois

Age Well DuPage – Great Success

Age Well DuPage – Great Success

Tips On How To Create An Elegant Buffet Table ( Video )

Tips On How To Create An Elegant Buffet Table ( Video )

Brother Rice Summer Camp Dates

Brother Rice Summer Camp Dates

Clarendon Hills Middle School Encourages Million Word Readers

Clarendon Hills Middle School Encourages Million Word Readers

District 181 Offers Monthly Preschool Screenings

District 181 Offers Monthly Preschool Screenings

Clarendon Hills Middle School Students Win ‘MathCounts’ Competition

Clarendon Hills Middle School Students Win ‘MathCounts’ Competition

The Birches Activities Fair Keeps the Community Active and Engaged at Any Age

The Birches Activities Fair Keeps the Community Active and Engaged at Any Age

Elm School Celebrates Read Across America Day