William E. Connelly, 96, of Morrison, IL, died Sunday, April 11, 2021, at CGH Medical Center, Sterling, IL.
William was born February 10, 1925, in Tampico, IL, to William Edward and Grace (Renner) Connelly, Sr. Bill was educated in the rural Whiteside County and Bureau County grade schools and attended Tampico High School. He married his first and only love, Jean P. Mickley on November 27, 1943, in Tampico. She died April 1, 2016. Bill engaged in farming in Whiteside and Bureau Counties his entire life. He was a member of the St. Mary Catholic Church and the Whiteside County Farm Bureau. He also served as a board member and Treasurer of Mt. Pleasant Mutual Insurance Company. He was known as a “Jack of All Trades” and was able to fix anything in the house and on the farm. Bill enjoyed golfing, fishing, and square dancing. He cherished spending time with his grandchildren. Bill made over three hundred wooden crosses, inspired by his son, Kent, that he loved to give away to those who touched his life.
Survivors include daughter, Laura A. Maas of Rapid City, SD; sons, William J. Connelly of Morrison, Gary L. Connelly of Casa Grande, AZ, Randal E. (Kristin) Connelly of Rapid City, and Thomas E. (Debra) Connelly of Wenatchee, WA; 19 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Jean; son, Kent E. Connelly; daughter-in-law, Kathy Connelly; sisters, Evelyn Vandorphy, Dorothy Wilson, Velma Adams, and Marjorie Connelly.
A private family Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church in Morrison, IL, officiated by Rev. Father Slawomir Zimodro.
A Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., on Thursday, April 22, 2021, at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home.
Interment will be at Grove Hill Cemetery, Morrison, IL.
In lieu of flowers a memorial may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church.