William E. Butcher

William was born on July 11, 1927 in Springfield, the son of August and Irene Walsh Butcher. He married Yvonne James in 1956 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Springfield.

William was a graduate of Sacred Heart Grade School; Feitshans High School; Springfield Junior College (Springfield College in Illinois); and Bradley University, Peoria, IL where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce and Business Administration.

He was an elected member of the Sangamon County Board, from 1976 through 1986, serving as Chairman of the Zoning, Public Health and Safety Committee and Vice – Chairman of the Liquor and Central Services Committee. He also served as Supervisor of Assessment for Sangamon County, IL from 1987 – 1990 and served as a member of the Springfield Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission.

He had been self-employed as a Professionally Designated Real Estate Appraiser since 1971 and was involved in several large, local projects, e.g., the Urban Renewal Program in the early 1970’s, the acquisition of property for the Lake II area and the acquisition of property for the Willard Ice Building. He was employed by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Federal Housing Administration, from 1955 – 1966. He was employed by the United States Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration from 1966 – 1971.

William was very active in youth baseball, both as a coach and team sponsor for many years and in latter years played and sponsored senior league softball. He was a life member of Knights of Columbus, Council 364, Christ The King Catholic Church and a Realtor-Emeritus with the Capitol Area Association of Realtors, Springfield and a member of the Appraisal Institute (MAI).

He served in the U.S. Army during 1945 – 1946 and then served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves from 1953 – 1957.

He was preceded in death by an infant daughter; his parents; and two sisters, Irene Brahler and Rosemary Butcher.

He is survived by his wife, Yvonne Butcher of Springfield; five children: Barrie (husband, Brian) Blough of Rochester, Bill (wife, Paula) Butcher of Champaign, Tracie (husband, Gregg) Lowis and Ellie (husband, Todd) Lawrence both of Springfield and Lorrie (husband, Roger) Brown of Glenwood Springs, CO; one brother, Augie (wife, Josie) Butcher of Springfield; ten grandchildren: Joshua, Nicholas and Christian Blough, Maria, Nate, Anna and Sofia Lowis, Michael and Madlyn Lawrence, and Allison Brown; eight nieces and nephews and twenty-seven great nieces and great nephews.

The family welcomes friends to visit from 4:30 –7:30 p.m. on Monday, September 25, 2006 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield. Visitation will begin with a Prayer Service at 4:30 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 1725 S. Walnut Springfield with Rev. David Hoefler celebrant.

Burial will follow in Camp Butler National Cemetery where the Interveterans Burial Detail will conduct military honors.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Hospice Care of Illinois & VNA of Central Illinois, 720 N. Bond St., Springfield, IL 62702-9914, or to : American Cancer Society, 1305 Wabash, Ste. J., Springfield, IL 62704, or to: Marine Corps League – National Headquarters, PO Box 3070, Merrifield, VA 22116.

The family of William E. Butcher is being served by Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield.