William P. Balcom, 70, of Kenosha, passed away on Friday, May 12th, 2006, at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in Union Grove, WI. Born on May 29, 1935, in Racine, WI, he was the son of the late Glen and Katherine (Pierce) Balcom. He was raised in Chicago, IL, and served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict from 1952-1956. Bill dedicated his life to making the world a better place through music, as a performer, director, producer, arranger, conductor, and composer. He was extremely active in the Kenosha performing arts community for over 40 years. In his early years, he organized the music production company "Musik Inc." Later, he wrote, directed, arranged, and conducted the Kenosha Junior Women's Club Follies, led multiple ensembles at "The Place", and was an active member of the Kenosha Musician's Union Local 59, at one time serving as its president. He also directed numerous musical productions and plays, was a performer in the Kenosha Pops, formed the band "Tuxedo Junction," conducted the Zion Concert Band, wrote music reviews for the Kenosha News, and recorded music under "Prairie Wind Studios." Bill was a renaissance man. He had an active and inquiring mind, was a member of Mensa, and was a quality control engineer as his day job in the later working years of his life. He was preceded in his death by his son, William P. Balcom, Jr. He is survived by his three sons, Dr. Anthony Balcom (and his wife Dawn) of Milwaukee, and James V. Balcom (and his wife Marlene) and John P. Balcom, both of New York City; two daughters, Elizabeth Pope (and her husband Audie) of Dallas, TX, and Patience Varnagy of Boise, ID; and three grandchildren, Patrick Balcom, Carrie and Carson Pope. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 16, 2006, at 7:00 pm at Proko Funeral Home and visitation will be held on Tuesday evening from 4:00 pm until the time of the service at 7:00 pm.Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533www.prokofuneralhome.com