William J. Carrico

William J. Carrico was born in Brazil, Indiana on August 11, 1933, the second son of Patrick and Lillian Carrico. The Carricos moved to their adopted hometown of Springfield, Illinois, when the children were quite young. Bill and his siblings, John, Sue, and Carol had a fascinating childhood growing up in the family-run Grand Hotel in downtown Springfield during the Great Depression and World War II. Great stories abound of life growing up "on the levee." Bill graduated from Cathedral Grade School and Lanphier High School. He remains a loyal Springfieldian to this day often claiming "if it was good enough for Abe Lincoln it's good enough for me." After a brief time at Bradley University, Bill served in the Navy during the Korean War at the Great Lakes Station north of Chicago. Never on a ship and never having to repel a North Korean invasion on Lake Michigan (though he like to claim we would all be speaking Korean if it weren't for his heroism), the Navy days held great memories for Bill. He met his best buddy Paul Nomady during this time, and the two have remained friends since. Springfield drew him back after his service in the Navy. He met his wife-to-be Susan Warner at one of the downtown soda fountain hang-outs for the young. Bill and Sue we're married in 1957 and had their first son, John, in 1958. Among their best friends to this day are Andy and Barb Homa who they met as neighbors at their first home on Douglas near Dubois School. Their second son, Kip, was welcomed in 1969 after their move to the Leland Avenue family home near Washington Park. The decades on Leland afforded such great friends to the Carricos including the Ellisons, the Hellwegs, the Ellsasses, the McNeelys, the Sheas, the Lochers, the von Nordheims, the Faveros, Bart and Sherry, and many more who still keep in touch. Many will remember the backyard pool and the gatherings of family and friends at that spot. Bill served a long (30+ year) and successful career as an insurance agent with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company winning numerous company awards. Many of his best friends throughout his life he met through Met Life such as Ed Niederer, Harry Sturm, Julio Monge, Dennis Caraway and Jim Dewhurst. Company trips to many destinations throughout the years are among the best memories the Carrico boys have. His Met Life career was one of the many constants of his life, as was the family home on Leland, and the continuous presence of his wife and sons as well as several beloved family dogs, most notably Britches, Gorgeous, Shag and Molly. Holiday trips to Texas to visit his son John and family with two grandsons, Dylan and Lowell, born in 1988 and 1992, held great memories. His loving nieces and nephews were also a constant, and he even claimed a dog-nephew "U.B." (short for Uncle Bill) named in honor of him. The passing of Sue in 1999 from cancer was a blow to the whole family but especially Bill who lost his wife of over 40 years. In the new millennium Bill met Sharon Conner and the two were inseparable up to this day. Sharon took great care of him and was amazingly present over the last couple years in his fight with brain cancer. They shared great memories hanging out with their crews of buddies at the K of C, the VFW, and Panera, and trips to visit John and family or Kip and Julie. Sharon tended to him daily during his last phase at Lewis Memorial nursing home. Despite the hardships of his last stages he was one of the most popular and well-liked residents at Lewis due to his easy-going, good natured humor. We will all miss him dearly. ********************************** William J. Carrico, 76, of Springfield, died at 3:50 p.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at Lewis Memorial Christian Village. William "Bill" was born August 11, 1933 in Brazil, IN, the son of Patrick and Lillian Jones Carrico. He married Susan Warner on August 10, 1957. She preceded him in death in 1999. Bill was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He was employed by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company as a sales agent for over 30 years. He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. He was also preceded in death by his parents; sister, Carol Kornfeld and infant sister, Patricia. He is survived by two sons, John (partner, Christy) Carrico of Austin, TX and Christian "Kip" (partner, Julie) Carrico of Ft. Collins, CO; two grandsons, Dylan and Lowell Carrico both of Austin, TX; brother, John (wife, Bridgett) Carrico; sister, Sue (husband, Bill) Block; his later life partner Sharon Conner, and numerous nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends from 4:00 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Funeral ceremonies will follow the visitation at 6:00 p.m. Cremation will be accorded following ceremonies by Butler Cremation Tribute Center. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 687 E. Linton Ave., Springfield, IL 62703, Lewis Memorial Christian Village, 3400 W. Washington, Springfield, IL, 62711or Passages Hospice, 315 N. Prairie Street, Bloomington, IL 61701.