William E. "Bill" Polm, 80, of Eau Claire died at 9:09 p.m. Wednesday at his home after an extended illness.

Born in Parker's Landing on April 19, 1928, he was the son of Clarence M. and Mary Elizabeth "Tib" Borchert Polm.

Bill was baptized into the Presbyterian faith.

He retired Dec. 29, 1990 from Snyder Associates Corp. after 40 years of service as a dragline and heavy equipment operator.

A veteran of the U.S. Army nearing the end of World War II, he was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal and the World War IIVictory Medal.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Helen Kohlmeyer Polm, whom he married March 30, 1951; one daughter, Barbara Lee Polm Midberry and husband, Tim, of Harrisville; four sisters, Eva Jane Ruth of Eau Claire, Cathryn "Kate" Blauser and her husband, Robert, of Parker, Dolores Grove and her husband, Carnie, of Eau Claire and Elizabeth "Betsy" Deal and her husband, Harry, of Eau Claire; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, a brother, Charles Polm, and Charles' wife, Mary Ann Dunmire Polm, died in the Yarmouth Castle ship disaster en route to the Bahamas from Florida on Nov. 13, 1965.

<B>POLM — </B>Friends of William E. "Bill" Polm, who died Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008, will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at <B>H. JACK BUZZARD FUNERAL HOME</B> on Route 38in Eau Claire. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. Burial will follow at 9 a.m. Monday in the Eau Claire Cemetery.