William H. Van de Water

Mr. Van de Water, enlisted in the U.S. Navy on July 31, 1943 and participated in major campaigns in the Pacific aboard the destroyer, the U.S.S. Anthony (DD 515). During the war, he toured Nagasaki and Kobe Japan immediately after the atomic bomb was dropped. Upon returning to the U.S. he was employed by Ameren UE for over 40 years, before retiring as the Superintendent of Operations at its Venice power plant.

Bill was preceded in death by a son, William “Kim” Van de Water; his parents, Edward and Katherine, nee Boucher, Van de Water; two brothers Edward Van de Water and James Van de Water; a sister Katherine Philips; and a brother-in-law, James McAdoo.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Betty, nee McAdoo, Van de Water; his children, Clare (Stephen) Buser of Columbia, Ill., Dr. James “Jay” (Sherri) Van de Water of Wildwood, Mo., Dr. Lee “Chris” (Starla) Van de Water of Atlanta, Ga., Maura (Mark) Bauman of Belleville, Ill., Philip “Todd” Van de Water of Belleville, Ill., and Elizabeth “Beth” (Michael) Miller of Belleville, Ill.; nine grandchildren, Drew, Ty, and Richelle Buser; Emma and Ellie Van de Water, John and Michael Bauman; and Regan and Reid Miller; two sisters-in-law Nita Van de Water and Jeanne McAdoo; and other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mr. Van de Waters honor may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org or by mail to P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516 or to Family Hospice, 5310 W. Main St., Belleville, IL 62226.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.valhallagardensandfuenralhome.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 11:00 a.m. till 1:00 p.m. at the Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home in Belleville, Ill.

Service: Memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 21 at the funeral home.