William James Kottas, only son of the late James Kottas and Rose Uldrich Kottas, was born near Tobias on August 17, 1919 and passed away on February 27, 2022. He attended rural school south of Tobias and attended Tobias High School graduating in 1937.  During his teenage years he worked as a grocery clerk and also helped his father with farming.  In February 1941 he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served almost five years in the 134th Infantry, 35 Division; trained as an Airforce Cadet at Santa Ana Air Base, and later served with the 77th Infantry Division; in the Pacific Theater World War II.  He was the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal and Citation Combat Infantryman's Badge, Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf clusters for being wounded twice on Okinawa, Expert Rifleman's Badge, and the Good Conduct Medal.  He made several beach heads before he was discharged in October 1945.  His entire life he was a true patriotic American and believed in doing good for his country.  He was a member of the Firing Squad VFW Post 4959 Crete and Tobias American Legion. On October 27, 1942 he married Helen Rose Stejskal in Hawthorne, California.  This union was blessed with four children: Sharon, Marylin, Janice, and Douglas.  Jimmie, as most people called him, managed the Co-op Grocery Store in Milligan from 1946 to 1951.  He moved to Tobias where he operated his own Locker and Grocery Store for 15 years.  In 1966 he was appointed Rural Mail Carrier of the Tobias Route.  From 1973-1974 he served as Officer In Charge of the Tobias Post Office returning to the Mail Carrier position at the end of the year.  He then served part of the Ohiowa Mail route, as well as, the Tobias mail route.  He retired in 1986. Jimmie loved sports and in his younger years managed the Little League Baseball Team for ten years in Tobias.  He enjoyed attending sports events with his son and daughters during their high school years.  Other interests were reading, hunting, gardening, playing cards, and dancing.  He was a loving and caring husband, father, and grandfather.  He loved every moment he spent playing and visiting with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He served on the Tobias Village Board, Tobias School Board, Volunteer Fire Dept., Assistant Scoutmaster, Tobias Community Historical Society Board, Saline County Museum Board, Saline Co. Crime Stoppers.  He was a member of the American Legion and was a Commander of the Tobias Post, later a member of Louis Milan Post at Wilber.  He served as District Eleven Adjutant for four years.  Additional organization involvement included:  Crete VFW #4959, Secretary of Lodge WFLA Krivoklat #79 for 32 years, Post Commander of Disabled American Veterans Chapter #42 in Crete, Tobias Volunteer Fireman, Retired Nebraska Rural Letter Carrier Association, Lincoln Military Order of Purple Heart #200, Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree (Father Beranek Council at Wilber.)  He served many years as St. Joseph Church Trustee in Tobias and as parishioner at Sacred Heart Church in Crete.  William J. Kottas, alongside his wife Helen, celebrated their 77th Wedding Anniversary on October 27, 2019. William was preceded in death by his parents, James and Rose Kottas, and his beautiful wife Helen.  He is survived by children, Sharon (Allen) Brozovsky, Marylin (Albert) Ericksen, Janice (Mark) Schweer, Douglas (Dawn) Kottas, 15 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.  Memorials in care of the family for Crete Sacred Heart Church and Tobias Cemetery.  Funeral Mass:  Friday, 10:00 A.M. Sacred Heart Church, Crete, NE.  Rosary:  Thursday, 7:00 P.M. Kuncl Funeral Home, Crete.  Visitation:  Thursday, 5 – 7 P.M. at the funeral home.