Submitted by: Dan Rich

William Victor Cira Sr.

May 13, 1939 - April 17, 2003

South Bend Tribune 4/20/2003

William Victor Cira Sr., 63, residing on Thornberry Court, South Bend, passed away at 4:20 p.m. Thursday, April 17, in Hospice House, following a four-month illness.

He was born May 13, 1939, in South Bend, as the son of James J. and Anne J. (DeCola) Cira, and has resided in South Bend all of his life. He graduated from James Whitcomb Riley High School.

On Aug. 22, 1959, in St. Matthew's Cathedral, he married Judith S. Hintz, who was the love of his life. In 1963, Bill began the Cira's Marathon Station on Miami Street, and operated the station and the Ryder Truck Rental until the time of his illness this past December.

He is survived by his loving wife, Judy, of 43 years, along with his two daughters, Sharon Robbins of Apopka, Fla., and Becky (Michael) Lund of South Bend; his son, William Victor (Loraine) Cira Jr. of Parker, Colo.; his mother, Anne J. (DeCola) Cira of South Bend; two brothers, James J. (Dolores) Cira Jr. of Mishawaka and Thomas (Linda) Cira of Bremen. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Travis Walker of Minneapolis, Minn., Tara Walker of South Bend, Ashley Walker of Elkhart, Kayla Robbins of Apopka, William V. Cira III, Lindsey Cira and Jonathon Cira, all of Parker, Colo., Heather Lund and Morgan Lund, both of South Bend; two great-grandchildren, Abigail Walker of South Bend and Edgar Arvizu of Elkhart; and many nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his father, James J. Cira Sr., on March 4, 1993.

Bill was a lifelong member of St. Matthew's Cathedral, and a member of Miami Village Association. He enjoyed the outdoors and woodworking.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, April 21, in the Cathedral of St. Matthew. Graveside services and burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2 to 8 p.m. today, April 20, in the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 South Michigan St., South Bend.

Contributions in memory of Mr. Cira may be made to Hospice of St. Joseph County, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.