William S. Rister
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[William S. Rister, 86, of Shawneetown, left this life to be with our Lord at 4:03 p.m. on Thursday, April 1, 2010, following a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born on June 12, 1923, in Omaha to the late Alvin and Mary (Mathis) Rister. He graduated from Shawneetown High School where he and his brother, Bob, excelled at basketball and were known as the "Rister boys."
Bill served in the Navy in World War II as a load specialist on transport aircrafts where he acquired his love of flying and later in life received his pilot's license. On May 25, 1945, he married the love of his life, Mildred M. (Silva) Rister, known to all as Micky and they produced three sons, Bill, Jim and Alan, whom he was very proud of. Bill was the sales manager of Rich Motor Co. for 29 years and was a Diamond member of the Ford Three hundred-Five hundred Club. After his years at Rich Motor Co., he became an independent photographer in Shawneetown, specializing in weddings, family portraits and aerial photography. He accomplished much in his life including: serving one term as Gallatin County treasurer in the early 1950s; past Shawneetown fire chief; served as Gallatin County as deputy sheriff for many years and remains an honorary deputy; president of the Gallatin County Historical Society and Lions Club for seven years; former Boy Scout leader; active member of Oddfellows and WADI food pantry chairman for many years; served on the selective service board until his death; was an avid supporter of the American Legion baseball team in Shawneetown. Bill was very proud to be instrumental in the planting of trees at the Gallatin County High School, in which each tree represents all past schools in Gallatin County.
Survivors include his wife of almost 65 years, Micky Rister; three sons, Billy and wife Sherry of Welsh, La., Jim of Shawneetown and Alan and wife Vicki of Evansville, Ind.; nine grandchildren, Dawn, Shannon, Amanda, Devon, Erica, Addie, Lindsay, Ashley and Derek; 10 great-grandchildren; one brother, Bob Rister; stepsister, Joanne; nieces, nephews and other family members.
In addition to his parents and stepmother Mable, he was preceded in death by youngest brother, Dick Rister; and grandson, Michael Rister.
Bill was a faithful member of the Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Shawneetown. He was also a member of the Shawneetown American Legion Post No. 585.
Visitation for Bill will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, April 5, 2010, at the Vickery Funeral Chapel in Shawneetown. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. the following day, Tuesday April 6, 2010, with the Rev. Cherrie Wilkerson officiating. Burial will be at Hogan Cemetery near Shawneetown with military rites by the Ridgway-Shawneetown American Legion. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Hospice of Southern Illinois. Internet condolences may be made at the website www.vickeryfuneralchapel.com. We would like to express our gratitude to the nursing staff of Hospice of Southern Illinois, family and friends for their help and support.