Obituary : William Gatsios; Longtime Resident

William George Gatsios, a longtime Ventura resident and accomplished musician, died at home Saturday after a long illness. He was 70.

Gatsios, a plumber by trade who was known to many simply as “Polka Bill” because of his accordion playing, was born June 24, 1929, in Massillon, Ohio.

Gatsios spent his childhood there and graduated from Massillon High School.

He served in the military during and after World War II, until 1950, after which he returned to Ohio. In Cleveland he began playing stand-up bass fiddle for a six-piece polka band. Afterward he taught himself a range of instruments, including the guitar, accordion, bouzouki and banjo.

According to family members, Gatsios spent much of his life playing for groups and parties across Southern California.

Gatsios moved to Ventura in 1963 with his wife and young daughter and within a year had started his own business, Buena Plumbing and Repair.

He was also active in the Ventura County Greek Orthodox Church, and he enjoyed fishing, golf and playing pool.

Gatsios is survived by his wife, Florence; daughter Cynthia of Ventura; brothers Jim and Tom and sister Angie Woodside, all of Massillon, Ohio.

A visitation will be held Tuesday from noon to 5 p.m. at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home in Ventura.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Sept. 1 at St. Demetrios Greek Church in Camarillo, with burial at the Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.

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Ventura County obituaries are compiled by Linda Herron. They are published free of charge as a public service to readers, based on in formation provided by mortuaries.