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WWII vet receives high school diploma

93 year old Bill Oblizajek was joined by family and residents of Kingston of Sylvania Friday night for the big celebration.

SYLVANIA, OH (Toledo News Now) - It's a high school graduation party years in the making.

93 year old Bill Oblizajek was joined by family and residents of Kingston of Sylvania Friday night for the big celebration.

"He was just always a great example of love to all of us," said Bill's grandson Nick.

Bill was a teenager in West Virginia when his dad died.

He dropped out of high school to support his family, eventually being drafted to fight in World War II.

"He fought in the Army in Germany. He was in the Battle of the Bulge, got a Purple Heart. He was one of two guys out of his squad of eleven to make it back alive," said Bill's son Rich.

Bill eventually settled in Tiffin with his family, moving to Kingston after his wife died.

Many World War II veterans like Bill never received a high school diploma.

But thanks to the Veterans Service Commission, Bill recently picked up his from Sylvania Northview.

"My grandpa is just a guy who is kind and nice to people. He's a funny guy too, the kind of guy I want to be," said Bill's grandson Nathan.

And the kind of guy who never thought this day would come.

"No, not really. Not at my age," said Bill.

But age doesn't matter on this night.

Bill Oblizajek can now say he's a high school graduate.

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