William Sjahalam Wong

William Sjahalam Wong will be remembered as being highly organized, practical and realistic. He was the in-house doctor to all his children and grandchildren, dressing and treating wounds or illness. He was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with him throughout his life. Everyone acquainted with William knew him as a well-respected man who was the true patriarch and heart and soul of his family.

His parents were Ong Boentek and Lie Sioe Nio. William was raised in Palembang, Indonesia. Even as a youngster, William learned to be objective and decisive. His faith in the principles of authority and dependability was something that he carried with him throughout his life.

William was raised with three siblings. They were Julie, Nellie and Pol. William had an inborn appreciation for the order in the family, allowing for the oldest members to be the most respected and to take on the most responsibility.

William really enjoyed playing soccer and swimming with his friends and school mates.

In school, William was as close to being a model student as one could possibly imagine. William’s personal motto could well have been, “Do it right the first time.” He graduated from Palembang Methodist English High School in 1941. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. His favorite class in high school was math. However, he also enjoyed being a member of the photography club, and continued his love of photography for the rest of his life.

He earned his Accounting Credentials in Indonesia, which is the equivalent of a CPA in the United States.

William was sociable and approachable. Because he was always so straightforward in how he approached relationships, friends and family knew that what they saw was always what they got. William was acquainted with Kian Ho who became a very dear friend and confident for the remainder of his life.

An objective and conscientious individual, William reveled in the comfort of his family. One of William’s most endearing qualities was his uncanny ability to remember important dates and anniversaries, and his unending enthusiasm for organizing a celebration for his family and friends. His wife Lina, the love of William’s life could always count on William for all things; and through more than fifty years of marriage, he never once failed her.

William was ever watchful of his children.. He maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. William would give his stamp of approval to their requests, as long as he could see how they might benefit. He also had the ability to enforce the rules as needed to ensure that his children were properly raised. William was blessed with two sons; James and Dani and daughter Mayalani. He was also blessed with five, grandchildren; Brian, Jessica, Sagita, Brandon and David.

His primary occupation was that of an Accountant and he was employed for 15 years by Grolier International. While with Grolier William was a team player who certainly lived out the motto of “give me a job, and I will get it done”, in addition William was well liked and respected by his co-workers.

William approached his leisure time in the same manner that he approached his life. A neat and orderly person, his favorite pursuits were fixing things around the house and any type of "handyman" project. He enjoyed nothing more than the satisfaction of fixing things with his own two hands as he was a man who was never idle. In addition he took great pride in assisting his children with raising his grandchildren, he attended cuts and bruises, making sure the grandkids were clean as hygiene was ingrained in him. That his grandchildren loved William and will miss him dearly goes without saying. Nicky the family’s little Chihuahua was also blessed to have been cared for by William.

Faith was important to William. For that reason he held deep spiritual beliefs that he was willing to share. He was a member of GKI-SABAR. During that time, he was an Elder and a Greeter.

When William’s retirement finally arrived in 1990, he was well prepared. His new life involved relocating to the USA. In retirement, he found new pleasure in his five grandchildren and assisting his children with home improvement projects. In many ways, William enjoyed retirement. . Later in life, his children would care for him. He enjoyed playing at the casino with his wife Lina. During his visits to his youngest son’s home in Las Vegas, William enjoyed many leisurely nights at the Wynn and Encore casinos

William passed away on August 9, 2011 at Summerlin Medical Center, Las Vegas, Nevada. William fought a brave battle against cancer; never giving in or showing signs of slowing down till the very end; he remained strong, and positive until the very last. He is survived by his loving wife Lina and children James, Mayalani and Dani; son-in-law Vincent; daughter-in-law Grace; grandchildren: Brian, Jessica, Sagita, Brandon, David; and grandsons in laws: Robert and Geoff. Services were held at Palm Mortuary, Las Vegas, Nevada. William was laid to rest in Palm Cemetery, Las Vegas.

All who knew him would agree that William was a loyal, hardworking, modest man of high moral standards. He lived his life with his feet firmly on the ground, yet was a man who always lived in the moment, never wasting time worrying about what might be; or what could be; but the only thing that mattered; the Here and the Now.

Arrangements under the direction of Palm Eastern Mortuary, Las Vegas, NV.