Obituary: William Uznanski

LEMONT, IL — Known in Lemont and surrounding areas as "The Handsome Photographer," William "Bill" Uznanski’s warmth and sense of humor brought smiles to friends and family.

According to his obituary, he was born to parents in the building trade; his father was a contractor and mother a designer, understanding building seemed to come to him naturally. When his parents opened a store to help other contractors; at age 13, Uznanski and his younger brother, Al, found themselves working after school and on weekends in Ace Hardware 52C on Southwest Highway in Palos Hills.

Uznanski was drafted in the late 1960s and served in the Army as an MP in Germany during the
Vietnam conflict. He often said it was the impetus for developing a lighthearted sense of humor.
According to his obituary, upon his discharge he returned to the hardware store where his response to any, “Hi, how are you?” turned into “Well, my lumbago, rheumatism and bursitis are up and my heart condition is going strong.” If taken seriously, he would add “and my rigor mortis is setting in.”

According to an obituary from his family, Uznanski acquired the nickname "The Great Prophet," which his employees happily helped confer on him, and he worked 60 to 70 hours a week for the next 20 plus years and helped the little hardware store grow to a facility larger than a football field. There, building contractors to ‘do-it-yourselfers’ could find knowledge, help and materials to complete their work.

He married Nancy, who worked at the store around her teaching schedule, in 1973. Charmed by the Village of Lemont as teenagers, they built their own home on the edge of town with the help of family members and the same tools they recommended to their customers.

His family said when their first born came along, Nancy left full time teaching and continued to work at the store, where their children learned the alphabet through such visual aids as “S”
hooks and “T” hammers.

In the early 1990s, as home centers became fashionable, the family sold the business. Bill and Nancy then chose to pursue his passion: photography. Building Uznanski Creations Distinctive Photography together, he soon acquired ‘The Handsome Photographer’ moniker, which brought a chuckle from others.

His family said Uznanski’s style included an ability to help tell one’s story through exquisitely lit natural posing that captured interest and charmed the viewer. Plus this new adventure allowed him more time to enjoy his growing family and community.

He was active in the Lemont and Homer Township Chambers of Commerce, and helped found the Lemont Artists Guild. He was president, treasurer and general board member of the Lemont Historical Society; director of the Alliance of Fine Arts for nine years remaining on the board and helping produce the Best of the Best fine arts show for more than 20 years.

Uznanski passed away following a brief illness, with his family at his side. He was preceded in death by his son Michael, father, William T., and brother Alvin. He is survived by his wife, Nancy (nee Gildroy), children Bill and Jackie, sister Christine (Stuart), sister-in-law Sue (nee Brock), mother Evelyn (nee Symon), Aunt Margie, grandchildren Bill and Michael, daughter-in-law Darlene (nee Mortensen) and many nieces and nephews.

The family will hold a celebration of life from noon to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, June 15 at the Lockport American Legion, 15052 Archer Ave., Lockport. Military honors and remembrance will begin at 1:30 p.m.