Clarence William “Bill” Heibenthal Obituary (1929

El Paso- Clarence William “Bill” Heibenthal, 96, of El Paso, passed at 1:28 A.M. on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at his daughter Sheila and son-in-law’s home in Stuart, FL. His grandson, Jonathan Pinkham was also by his bedside. Visitation will be from 4-7 P.M. on Friday September 26 at Calvert & Johnson Memorial Home in El Paso. Funeral services will be 11 A.M., on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Calvert & Johnson memorial Home in El Paso with Anthony Tocco officiating. Cremation rites will follow the service, and inurnment will be at a later date at Ashton Cemetery, Ashton. Memorials may be given to the El Paso Rescue Squad. Bill was born on February 27, 1929, in Ashton, IL to Clarence and Dorcas (Strawbridge) Heibenthal. He married Orva J. Butler on June 24, 1951, in Ashton, IL and they were married for 66 years until her passing in 2017. He is survived by 3 children, Curt (Suzanne) Heibenthal, Rochelle, IL , Randy Heibenthal, Douds, IA, and Sheila (Stephen) Sinnott, of Stuart, FL; 19 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 sons, Gary and Mark; daughter, Lisa Arbuckle; and 2 sisters, Shirley Unger, and Norma Jean Heibenthal, of Ashton, IL. Born and raised in Ashton, Illinois, he attended and graduated from Ashton High School. He met his bride by the Ferris wheel at the Ashton Fair. Bill was a farmer in Ashton for many years and also helped his dad farm. He moved his family to El Paso, IL in 1967. He worked for Gildersleeve Seed Company in Hudson; IL and he helped build Hazy Hills Golf Course. He retired from Martin Implement in Goodfield, IL. Bill was a man of deep faith and had a heart of gold. With the help of his wife, he passed on the same Christian values to his children and grandchildren. At every family gathering, everyone would form a circle and hold hands, and Bill would give the blessing before eating. He and his bride loved to dance and could dance to any music. It was magical to watch them dance and to see the love in their eyes. Bill loved to hunt and fish with all his family and friends. He especially loved going to his son Curt’s gravel pit to fish and run the catfish line in Ashton, IL. Many memories were made with family and friends there including with his parents before they passed. There were many hunting trips with his son Randy and he enjoyed sharing those memories with him. He also used to be a hunting guide in Ashton, IL. His son Gary was there for his parents and sacrificed a lot of time for his parents’ wellbeing and whatever was needed for them. His daughter Lisa helped to take care of him and his wife before she passed away. Lisa made many sacrifices and countless trips over to the house for whatever was needed. He enjoyed being with his daughter, Sheila , and Stephen for 3 years and 8 months in Stuart, FL. He enjoyed going to their country club, meeting new friends and dancing the night away. Bill loved his physical therapist Irene, his speech therapist Tracy, and all the caretakers that helped him on his journey. Bill loved teaching all his grandchildren to drive, fish, and hunt. Their home was always open to anyone and everyone. It was a gathering spot for all occasions, especially the Kentucky Derby, and all sporting events. It was a rare occurrence to see an empty house. Bill ended every visit or phone call with a “so long”, he hated goodbyes. We are all comforted knowing that God is with him today and until that day that we are all reunited.