William and Patricia Olwig Die Less Than an Hour Apart from COVID-19 after Being Married for 60 Years

An elderly couple from the St.Louis-area have passed away from the coronavirus — they died on the same day, within an hour of each other.

A man and woman who have been married for close to 61 years passed away less than an hour apart due to health complications from the COVID-19. The man, Bill Olwig, and his wife, Pat Olwig, both died on May 1st. Their 61st wedding anniversary was to be held later this month.

They died a few days after testing positive for the coronavirus and being transferred to the intensive care unit, according to what family members told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Bill and Pat had seven children, 20 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren — all of whom refer to them as dedicated parents and incredible role models.

The active parishioners at St. Ferdinand in Florissant and St. Joe's of Cottleville also said as much in the joint obituary created for the deceased. The obituary read:

"They were wonderful role models, dear friends to so many and unconditionally loved their entire family, they were most proud of the family they created..."

The pair initially met each other on a double date in the 50s. According to their daughter, Rose, they started liking each other after Bill reached for Pat's knee under the table. She said,

"Mom always said that's all it took. Right then, she knew he was the right one."

Bill and Pat tied the knot in May 1959. Bill would go on to co-own the sheet metal business called C&R Mechanical, while his lovely wife was employed as a preschool teacher. She also acted as a religion instructor for special education students.

At his place of work, Bill was recognized by his subordinates as a good man who always cared first for his men and always had their backs, so it came as no surprise that his men were fond of going the extra mile to satisfy him.

When it was time to take them off life support, surviving family members had to remain outside the hospital.

The couple lived in Florissant for many years, after which they moved into an independent living apartment at a long-term care facility in O'Fallon in September.

Their daughter, Rose, admitted that the two lovebirds thrived at the care facility — they made sure not to miss the happy hours and bingo nights the facility offered. Bill and Pat allegedly started coughing some weeks ago, and while their family was worried, they brushed it off as a seasonal cold.

On April 26, Bill was hospitalized. His temperature spiked, and Pat's followed some six hours after. The following morning, both tested positive for COVID-19, and they were transferred to intensive care.

Due to the years of medical problems both Bill and Pat had, "we knew then, it would probably be the end," Rose admitted.

The family watched on Zoom, as a Catholic priest performed a religious sacrament for both Bill and Pat as they lay in their hospital beds.

When it was time to take them off life support, surviving family members had to remain outside the hospital under a tent erected in the parking lot — there could be no visits due to the restrictions.

Bill gave up the ghost at about 12:40 p.m., and his wife, Pat, followed 40 minutes later. RIP Bill! RIP Pat!!