William S. Balkus, 50, passed away at the Winchester Hospital on October 7th, 2009. He was born in Winchester on July 23rd, 1959 to his parents William and Nancy (Wheeler) Balkus. Bill has been a life-long resident of Reading. He is a graduate of Reading High School, Class of 1977. During his high school years, Bill was a member of the football team and was captain of the track team. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Northeastern University in 1982. He formerly owned and operated the Balkus Excavating Company along with his father William. For the past 18 years, Bill was a member of Union Local 4, working as an Operating Engineer for the J. Derenzo Company. He enjoyed spending many summers with his family at Seavue South in Wells Beach, Maine. Bill was a proud friend of Bill W. He has been sober for the past 18 years. He is survived by his wife, Kristine (Breslin) Balkus; by his son, William A. Balkus of Reading: and by his siblings, Wendy Blacker and her husband Kevin of Henniker, New Hampshire and Brian Balkus of Reading. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and many cousins. Relatives & friends are invited to attend his funeral from the Breslin Funeral Home, 610 Pleasant St., Malden on Monday October 12th at 8:45 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at St. Athanasius Church, 300 Haverhill St., Reading at 10 AM. Services will conclude with interment in Oak Grove Cemetery in Medford. Visiting hours will be held at the funeral home on Sunday October 11th from 2-6 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.