William S. Hester

William was born August 11, 1948, in Rushville, IL, the son of William M. and Frances M. Derry Hester. He married Bonnie Sue Smith on July 13, 1968, in Springfield, IL; she preceded him in death on January 22, 2022.

William earned his bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University and began working for Caterpillar. He then worked as a stationary engineer for Washington University and retired as the manager of the power plant. William was a “renaissance man”, always learning and helping others. He enjoyed building steam engines, playing chess, flower gardening, and loved animals, especially cats. William recently took up cooking and loved tinkering with items and taking them apart.

He was also preceded in death by his parents.

William is survived by his daughter, Amy Hester of O’Fallon, IL; brother, Rick Hester of Brazil, IN; nieces and nephews, Tara (Brad) Hester Lacy, Jeri (Matt) Markle, Robert (Traci) Gibson, Theresa (Greg) Pearce, Melissa Smith, Derek Smith, Aaron Smith, Katelin Smith, Frankie Ann Schripsema, Lyndsay Schripsema, Jennifer Hampton and William Hampton; and numerous great-nieces and nephews.

Visitation: Family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 12, 2022, at Boardman-Smith Funeral Home, 800 South Grand Avenue West, Springfield, IL.

Funeral Ceremony: 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 13, 2022, at Boardman-Smith Funeral Home with Rev. Julie Smith and Frank Watson officiating.

Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Special Olympics of Illinois Area 17, 900 Christopher Lane, Suite 7, Springfield, IL 62712.