William Baker Kalish of Columbia, TN, passed away on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the age of 82. Bill was born to his parents, Doris B. Kalish and Daniel E. Kalish on January 10, 1944, at Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland.

As an Army brat, Bill spent his youth travelling the world at various Army posts across the country and around the world, including stops in the Philippines and France. The last of the many places he lived with his parents was in San Antonio, Texas.

He graduated from Alamo Heights High School in 1962 and attended Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana for one year. In 1963, he was accepted to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and graduated in 1967, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Management, Mechanical Engineering.

After graduation, Bill opted to become a member of the United States Marine Corps and flew the Sikorsky CH-53 helicopter in Vietnam. He flew many missions and received numerous medals and awards. Although he did not dwell on his time served in Vietnam, he was involved in one particularly unique classified mission in Laos, named Operation Tailwind, where an Army medic by the name of Gary Rose was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Trump on October 23, 2017. Bill was proud of his participation in this mission and attended the presentation ceremony at the White House.

After leaving the Marine Corps, Bill enjoyed a very successful civilian career in the printing industry and remained very active in local veteran organizations.

Bill is survived by 2 younger brothers, Tom (Donna) Kalish and David (Linda) Kalish; 3 children, Todd (Traci) Kalish, Kurt Kalish and Ashley (Matt) Lopez; step-daughter Stacy (Stacy) Cochran; 8 grandchildren, Todd (Montana) Kalish, Jr., Briggs Kalish, LiLi Kalish, Katie Kalish, Annie Kalish, Preston Lopez, Gage Lopez and Austin Page; 3 great grandchildren, Field Kalish, Finley Kalish and Nora Kalish; along with his companion of several years, Jan Clarey.

He is predeceased by his parents and his wife of 21 years, Joann Kalish.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Bill Kalish will be held at 11:00 AM, May 19, 2026, in the chapel of Dalton Funeral Home in Dalton, Georgia followed by interment at New Hope - Kilgore Cemetery in Chatsworth, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Bill’s memory to Alamo Heights School Foundation (ahschoolfoundation.org/back-teachers/donate), 7101 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209 or VFW Post 4869, P.O. Box 675, Columbia, TN 38402-0675 or a charity of your choice.