William Dennis ''Bill'' Sullivan

William Dennis "Bill" Sullivan, 77, of New Berlin, died at 8:44 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29, 2009, the birthday of his daughter, Carolyn, at St. John's Hospice. Bill, born January 23, 1932 in New Berlin, was the son of John Thomas and Mary Grace Leahy Sullivan. He married Rita Stillwagon on November 29, 1958 at St. Aloysius Church. Bill worked as a farmer, but was also employed part-time by the US Dept. of Agriculture at the Sangamon County ASCS office for over forty years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. Bill was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who treasured every moment with his family. When a nurse asked him what was his favorite thing to do in the whole world, he replied, "Love my wife". Bill was a charter member of Knights of Columbus #4372 in New Berlin, Director and Lifetime Member of the Sangamon County Fair Board and a member of the American Legion Post in New Berlin. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, John Thomas Sullivan, Jr.; and sisters, Marjorie Nafziger and Dorothy Dannacher. He is survived by his wife of fifty years, Rita; four children, Susan Sullivan Danenberger (spouse, Doug), Carolyn Peterson (spouse, Marvin), Julie Lane (spouse, Richard), and Kevin Sullivan (spouse, Sarah Kate); nine grandchildren, Gannon and Clayton Danenberger, Grace and Julia Lane, William "Liam" and Eliza Sullivan, Geoffrey, Christopher and Matthew Peterson; four sisters, Marcella Greazel (Calif.), Catherine Hewett (St. Louis), Eleanor Killian (Des Plaines) and Delores Killian (Barrington Hills); one brother, Rev. Kevin Sullivan (Arizona); and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, 2009 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Visitation will begin with a prayer service at 4:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 4, 2009 at St. Mary's Church, 404 E. Birch, New Berlin with Rev. Angel Sierra, celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1905.