William L Ackerman

Born November 6, 1923 in Fox, Arkansas to Joseph and Effie (Branscum) Ackerman, he married Lillian M. Finch on October 25, 1947 in Mountain View, Arkansas. She survives.

Also surviving are two daughters, Cynthia (William) Pruett and Sharon (Edward) Freidinger, both of Pekin; four grandchildren, Kimberly (Wayne) Calvin of Canton, William Jr. (Jessica) Pruett of Romeoville, and Ellen (Nathan) McCarthy and Anna Freidinger, both of Pekin; two great-grandchildren, twins Hannah Pruett and Chase Pruett; four brothers, Lona (Nina) Ackerman of Mountain View, Arkansas, Jack (Loyce) Ackerman of Pekin, James (Charlotte) Ackerman of East Peoria, and John (Clara) Ackerman of Little Rock, Arkansas; and two sisters, Velma Faye Hawkins of Blanchard, Oklahoma and Ola Mae Cercoply of Lexington, South Carolina.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother (Lonnie Ackerman).

A United States Army veteran of World War II, he served from March 12, 1943 to January 14, 1946. He attained the rank of Sergeant. He was assigned to the 5th Armored Division and received four Bronze service stars for battles and campaigns in Northern France, Rhineland, Central Europe, and Ardennes. He also was a veteran of the Korean War, serving from 1950 to 1951.

William worked for Corn Products Company and later Pekin Energy for a total of 35 years, retiring in 1987.

He was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Pekin, where he had held position of usher and former trustee.

William enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, hunting, and gardening. He was an avid Saint Louis Cardinals baseball fan.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 31, 2007at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. Pastor Randy Justus will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and also 30 minutes before the funeral Wednesday, both at the funeral home. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin, where military rites will be accorded by the United States Army and Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team.

Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Baptist Church, 1400 Derby Street, Pekin, IL 61554 orthe American Heart Association.