William N. Becker

William N. Becker, aka "Dr. Bill-The Crop Doctor," 69, of Springfield, died at 2:51 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2015 at Memorial Medical Center. Bill was born March 15, 1946 in Berwyn, IL, the son of Alexander B. and Virginia (Kuratko) Becker. He married Caroline Mary Weiss on June 22, 1968 in Berwyn, IL. Bill was a graduate of Our Lady of the Ozarks minor seminary in Carthage, MO. He attended Western Illinois University where he earned a bachelor's degree in Zoology and a master's degree in Botany. He earned his PhD in Plant Pathology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Bill owned and operated Agrosystems Management, Inc. and Central Illinois Agricultural Research Farms. He enjoyed his work and loved helping his clients grow healthy crops including corn, soybeans, grapes, and giant pumpkins. He never met an earthworm he didn't like. Bill had deep faith and loved God, his family, and friends and was a member of St. Agnes parish. He enjoyed dancing, poker, his men's discussion group, Zumba, spiritual reading, bike riding with his granddaughters, Frisbee golf, making pizzas, and Illini basketball. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Nicholas Becker; and three brothers-in-law, David Crowell, William Weiss, and Gary Hutson. He is survived by his wife, Carrie Becker of Springfield; his son, Joshua (Catherine) Becker of Springfield; three grandchildren, Elisabeth G. Bombell, and Clare A. and Leah R. Becker; thirteen siblings, Ronald J. (Cyndee) Becker, Mary Beth (John) Kosmenko, Alexander (Holly) Becker, Sue Becker, Jeanine (George) Gouzeas, Mark Becker, Tom Becker, Rita Crowell, Lorie (Michael) Jessup, Dorothy Hutson, Flora (Ron) House, Ralph (LeeAnne) Becker, and Peter (Robyn) Becker; one sister-in-law, Marilyn Becker; two brothers-in-law, Ralph Weiss and Michael (Susan) Weiss; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Memorial Gathering: Family will receive friends from 4:00 until 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2015 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 245 North Amos Ave., Springfield. The gathering will begin with a prayer service. Concelebrated Funeral Mass: 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2015 at St. Agnes Catholic Church with Rev. Robert J. Jallas, celebrant and Rev. Richard Chiola and Rev. Steven Arisman, concelebrants. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Agnes Parish, 245 North Amos Ave., Springfield, IL 62702, St. John's Breadline, 430 North 5th St., Springfield, IL 62702, or St. Katharine Drexel Parish, 722 South 12th St., Springfield, IL 62703. Cremation will be accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center prior to ceremonies.