William "Bill" Albert Rinehart

William Albert "Bill" Rinehart, beloved husband and father, passed away on June 15, 2025, in Peoria, Illinois. He was born August 18, 1941, at the Navy base on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to William Robert Rinehart and Geraldine (Trevine) Rinehart. He graduated from the University of Missouri, where he met his future wife of 61 years, Patricia (Pat) Anderson. After college, Bill served in the United States Navy as navigator on a patrol aircraft, including two different deployments to Vietnam. Following his military service, he embarked on a long career of over 30 years at Caterpillar, managing parts distribution facilities all over the world and retiring in 2002 as Vice President Caterpillar Logistic Services, Inc.

He is survived by his wife Pat; son Patrick and his wife Cheryl of Anchorage, Alaska; daughter, Kristen Berchtold and her husband Dan of Peoria, Illinois; brother Robert and his wife Phyllis, of Friendswood, Texas; three nephews; four grandsons; and two great grandchildren.

Bill was a warm and fun-loving guy, passionate about his family, travel and exploring the world. He loved good food, fine wine, and cool fast cars. Bill cultivated his love of fine food and wine as an active member of a men’s gourmet club for over 30 years, and his prize possession was his 2008 red Shelby Mustang convertible. After retirement, Bill and Pat, along with their two dogs, would take off in their motor home, travelling 4 months a year for 18 years. They covered every state and visited many, many friends along the way. Bill loved the Peoria community he called home for so many years, serving on the Board of Directors for Kickapoo Council of Girl Scouts and Community Workshop and Training Center.

A service of remembrance will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, June 28 at the Davison-Fulton-Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home at 2408 W. Willow Knolls Drive, Peoria, Illinois, doors opening at 1:00. A Celebration of Life will follow immediately at Mt. Hawley Country Club, 7724 N. Knoxville Avenue, Peoria from 3:00 to 5:00.

In lieu of flowers, Bill’s family requests donations be made in his name to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2200 Cabot Drive, Suite 460, Lisle, Illinois 60532 or online at: www.alz.org/illinois.