William V. Longstreet's Obituary
MT. ZION — William (Bill, aka Rodeo Willie) Verne Longstreet, 76, of Mt. Zion, IL, passed away October 29 th at St. Anthony’s Hospital, Golden, CO. Bill was born on January 10, 1935 in Macon County, son of the late John and Ruth (Capps) Longstreet. In 1963, Bill married Sandra Lee Knotts, she preceded him in death on Dec. 12, 1974. Also proceeding him in death were son John Keegan, 1967 and granddaughter, Emma, 2006. Surviving are daughters: April Lynne (Ken) Cisneros of Bailey, CO; Lisa (Michael) Liming of Decatur, IL; Angela Lori (Neal) Banning of Shelbyville, IL; son, Shaun William Hebenstreit of Decatur, IL; grandchildren, Doug, Sandra Leann, Brett, Sarah, Wyatt, Hannah and Bryson; 1 great-grandchild, Aaron; Sister, Colleen (Gene) DeTurk of W. Lafayette, IN and brothers, Joe (Dolores) Longstreet of Decatur, IL and Mike (Toni) Longstreet of Decatur, IL. and numerous nieces and nephews. He graduated from Decatur HS 1953, attended Millikin University and served as a Staff Sergeant in the US Army and National Guard from 1954-1960. In the early 1970’s, he was a part-time Mt Zion Police officer and a volunteer member of the Mt. Zion Fire Department. Bill retired from Firestone Co after 30 years of service. He was a member of: Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie No 507; Loyal Order of Moose, Decatur Lodge 684; The American Legion, Post No 0117; and Clowns of America, Lincoln Laffers, and the Springfield and Heart and Heart and Sole Caring Clowns. After retirement, Bill became a professional clown and for the last 15 years enjoyed entertaining kids of all ages. A service to celebrate the life of Bill will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 19, 2011 at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, with a visitation starting at 1:00 p.m. till the time of the service. Interment will take place at Cerro Gordo Cemetery following the service.
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