William "Bill" E. Elder

William "Bill" E. Elder, 87, of Springfield, died at 10:00 p.m. on Friday, January 23, 2015 at his home. Bill was born May 11, 1927 in Eldorado, the son of Earl and Zoa Alvey Elder. He married Angela Vespa on October 17, 1953 in Springfield. Bill was a graduate of Eldorado High School and attended Southern Illinois University prior to serving his country in the United States Army Air Force. He worked for Illinois State Police and then AM International for over 30 years prior to his retirement. Bill was a member of the Springfield Motorboat Club and participated in the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He also enjoyed his heart rehabilitation group of friends and loved Illini basketball and Cardinals baseball. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, J.L. and Vernell; and two sisters, Loretta Baird and Bernida Bond. He is survived by his wife, Angela of Springfield; two daughters, Terri (Rick) Travis of Dunlap and Kathy (Steve) Graben of Lantana, TX; five grandchildren, Nick (Brooke) Travis of Miami, FL, Taylor Travis of Chicago, Allyse Graben of Bloomington, Sophia Graben of Carbondale, and Camille Graben of Lantana, TX; three siblings, Donald (Marcella) Elder of Pevely, MO, Iona (Robert) McCoy of Eldorado, and Naomi (Donald) Mathis of Stonefort; John (Betty) Pulliam and numerous other cousins, nieces, and nephews. Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Funeral Ceremony: 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, with Celebrant Judy Woerner officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery with military honors provided by the Department of Defense. Memorial contributions may be made to: Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, 57 Country Place, Springfield, IL 62703, or Special Olympics of Flower Mound Texas (SOFM), 8901 Cypress Creek Road, Lantana, TX, 76226, or Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (IPMR), 6501 N. Sheridan Rd., Peoria, IL 61614.