OBITUARY: William “Bill” E. Elder
William "Bill" E. Elder, 87 of Springfield, died at 10 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23, 2015, at his home.
Bill was born May 11, 1927, in Eldorado, the son of Earl and Zoa Alvey Elder. He married Angela Vespa on Oct. 17, 1953, in Springfield.
Bill was a graduate of Eldorado High School and attended Southern Illinois University prior to serving his country in the United States Army Air Force. He worked for Illinois State Police and then AM International for over 30 years prior to his retirement. Bill was a member of the Springfield Motorboat Club and participated in the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He also enjoyed his heart rehabilitation group of friends and loved Illini basketball and Cardinals baseball.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, J.L. and Vernell; and two sisters, Loretta Baird and Bernida Bond.
He is survived by his wife, Angela of Springfield; two daughters, Terri (Rick) Travis of Dunlap and Kathy (Steve) Graben of Lantana, Texas; five grandchildren, Nick (Brooke) Travis of Miami, Fla., Taylor Travis of Chicago, Allyse Graben of Bloomington, Sophia Graben of Carbondale and Camille Graben of Lantana, Texas; three siblings, Donald (Marcella) Elder of Pevely, Mo., Iona (Robert) McCoy of Eldorado and Naomi (Donald) Mathis of Stonefort; John (Betty) Pulliam; and numerous other cousins, nieces and nephews.
Family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015, at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Funeral services are 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015, at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, with Celebrant Judy Woerner officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery with military honors provided by the Department of Defense.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, 57 Country Place, Springfield, Ill. 62703, or Special Olympics of Flower Mound Texas (SOFM), 8901 Cypress Creek Road, Lantana, Texas 76226, or Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (IPMR), 6501 N. Sheridan Rd., Peoria, Ill. 61614.
Please visit butlerfuneralhomes.com to offer your condolences.