William "Bill" Rhoades' Obituary
William (Bill) Everett Rhoades, Jr. died on November 24, 2015 in Champaign, Illinois. The visitation will be from 5:00-7:30 pm on Friday, November 27, 2015 at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, 2091 N. Oakland Avenue, Decatur. A Catholic Mass will be at 11:00 am Saturday, November 28, 2015 at St. Thomas Catholic Church, 2160 N. Edwards St., Decatur, followed by burial in Graceland Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Macon County Honor Guard. Memorial donations are welcomed to the American Heart Association or the Macon County Child Advocacy Center.
Bill was a WWII Army veteran. During his military service which included a three year tour in Germany, he was trained both as a mechanic and as a constabulary. He married Betty Ewing in 1949 and together they had four children. She died in a car crash in 1970. In 1980, Bill married Betty Sharp Wahl, and they celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary prior to her death in 2014. Bill retired in 1986 after working at Caterpillar for 33 years. He and Betty, who had retired from nursing, moved to Springfield, IL, where Bill built a new woodshop and pursued his passion for woodworking. He enjoyed many activities, including travelling, learning the art of making stained glass, working part time, volunteering his Church, and spending time with family and friends. Always proud of his family, he was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.
Bill was born on January 31, 1929, in Atwood, IL, the son and fifth child of William and Alfreda Rhoades. He is preceded in death by his wives, Betty Ewing Rhoades (deceased 1970) and Betty Wahl Rhoades (deceased December 2014); his parents; three sisters: Juanita Hoyt, Lucille Nicholson, and Geneva Walsh; his great grandson Caden Rhoades; and his granddaughter, Laura Rhoades. He leaves behind one sister, Lenora DeVan, who resides in Pekin, IL.
Bill is deeply loved by his family and extended family, whose names follow: His daughter Barbara and Ken Sartain of Champaign, IL and their family – Jeff Sartain and wife Karol Stewart. His son William (Bill) and Leslie Rhoades of Decatur, IL and their family – Brian Rhoades; Brady Rhoades and wife Emily and their daughters, Ella and Linny; Laura Rhoades (deceased) and her sons Caden Rhoades (deceased) and Brendan Benton. His son Ronald and Dinah Rhoades of Diamondhead, MS, and their family – Adam Rhoades, Kelly Rhoades, and Jessica Arbogast. His son Robert and Karen Rhoades of Phoenix, AZ and their family – Elaine Chambers and her husband Chris; Heather Rhoades; Rachel Rhoades; and Jennifer Newberry and her children Allissa and Jonathan Newberry. His step daughter Joanne and husband Don Mohn of Mechanicsburg – and their family Tony Heinrichs and wife Char; Donnie Mohn; and Mike Mohn. His step nieces Cindy Sabo and husband Steve of Pawnee and their family – Holly and Emily; and Debbie Lounsberry and husband Kraig of Pawnee and their family – Ashley and Jackson.
The family of William Rhoades is being served by Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, 2091 N. Oakland Ave, Decatur. View the online obituary and send condolences to the family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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