William Ellsworth Montague

William Ellsworth Montague (Bill), 85, of Springfield, formerly of Evanston, IL, and Solomon, KS, passed away at 4:30p.m. on Saturday, November 27, 2010, following injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Bill and his wife, Mary Frances (Fran), were driving home after spending a Thanksgiving holiday surrounded by family in the Chicago area. Bill was born February 5, 1925 in Cuba, KS, the son of Leon Francis and Adelaide Seeds Montague. He married Mary Frances McLaughlin 54 years ago on February 17, 1956 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Springfield, IL. After graduating from Evanston Township High School, he proudly served his country as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force during World War II, flying as a navigator on B 29s and B 17s. Recently, he participated in a WWII Honor Flight to Washington DC. Professionally, Bill began his career with Minnesota Mining (3M) after graduating from Lake Forest College, and then with Franklin Life Insurance Company before starting a successful investment brokerage firm, Wm. E. Montague & Associates. Over the years he had been actively managing his family farm in Kansas. Bill was an avid sailor and member of Island Bay Yacht Club for over 50 years. He was a lifetime member of Rotary International and was awarded its highest honor as a Paul Harris Fellow. He was also a long time member of The Sangamo Club in Springfield. Among Bill's passions were gardening, camping, and world travel; as a child he had sailed to Europe and back with his parents on the Queen Elizabeth. Always active in Springfield community affairs, Bill was perhaps most proud to have founded the Old Capitol Art Fair (which holds its 50th anniversary this spring) and the annual Rotary Citrus Drive (which has provided now for 36 years over $1.5 million for distribution to the needy). Bill is survived by his loving wife, Mary Frances (Fran) Montague of Springfield, IL; five daughters: Mary Lee Montague (husband, Bruce Matthews) of Chicago, IL, Suzanne (husband, Michael) Parks of Kenilworth, IL, Carolyn (husband, Dan) Klenkar of Cleveland, OH, Nancy (husband Jeff) Bedwell of Kenilworth, IL and Amy (husband, Shane) Clayton of Chicago, IL; 12 grandchildren: Carolyn, Mick, John, Luke, Danny and Mary Elizabeth Parks; Mary Katherine, Sarah, and Charlie Klenkar; JJ and Danny Bedwell; Zachary Clayton and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday January 7, 2010 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 South 6th Street in Springfield. His funeral ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday January 8th at the Funeral Home, with Rev. David J. Hoefler officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, where Military Honors will be provided by the Department of Defense and Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County. Memorial contributions may be made to: Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, P.O. Box 403, Chatham, IL 62629, www.landoflincolnhonorflight.org