William "Bill" E. Buster

He was born to Lillian D. (Woertz) Buster and Russell J. Buster, Sr. on September 30, 1925, in Peoria. He married Marilyn J. Galloway on January 23, 1953, at Glen Oak Christian Church in Peoria.

Bill is survived by his wife Marilyn of East Peoria, children, Curtis (Cheryl) Buster of Chillicothe and Michele Buster of Muscatine, IA, granddaughters, Erica (Matthew) Buster-Faubert of Naples, FL, and Staci (Kyle) Traeger of Pinellas Park, FL. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Russell J. Buster, Jr.

Bill graduated from Woodruff High School in 1943. In 1991, he was inducted in the Woodruff Athletic Hall of Fame for his record-setting accomplishments in Track and Field during and after high school. Bill attended the University of Illinois where he majored in Business. At college, he continued to excel for the U of I track team. In 1945, he ran the fastest indoor time in the world for the 60-yard dash, and was a member of the one-mile relay team that won the NCAA Championship. This relay team also clocked the fastest time in the world that year and was slated for the Olympics before the United States entered WWII. Bill joined the Air Force in 1946 where he served for two years and was promoted to the rank of Corporal. After his honorable discharge from the military, he returned to the University of Illinois and earned his Bachelor’s degree in 1950.

As running was always in his blood, Bill was a member of the Illinois Valley Striders running club. In 1980, he was named Veteran Runner of the Year for that organization, won several Steam Boat Classic races in the over-60 age group and was known to say “Don’t look back, old age is catching up with you” as he moved alongside many a young racer. In 1989, Bill was inducted into the Peoria Sports Hall of Fame.

After college, Bill worked for the family-owned and operated businesses Buster & Co. Livestock and Buster Insurance Agency located at the Peoria Union Stockyards. Upon retirement from his insurance business, Bill could not be idle. He played lots of golf and eventually became a familiar smiling face as he worked into his upper 80s as maintenance and grounds keeper for the Fondulac Park District. He enjoyed volunteering at the Fondulac “Just for Kids” annual golf tournaments and helped build the Festival of Lights parade floats every holiday season.

Cremation rites have been accorded and a Celebration of Life will be held at Quail Meadows Golf Course on Friday, August 12, 2022, at 3:00 p.m.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Midwest Affiliate.

Funeral arrangements are in care of Remmert Funeral Home and condolences may be left at www.Remmert.com.