William E. "Bill" Grace Obituary (1951

William E. “Bill” Grace, 73, of Streator, formerly of Gridley, passed away on Friday, December 6, 2024. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 12, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Calvert & Johnson Memorial Home in El Paso. A funeral service will follow on Friday, December 13, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Christ Community Church in Gridley, officiated by Pastor Grant Stauter. Interment will be at Gridley Cemetery in Gridley. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601. Calvert & Johnson Memorial Home in El Paso is handling arrangements. Bill was born on September 22, 1951, in Bloomington to Melvin and Evelyn (Cornwell) Grace. On June 24, 1972, he married Jowanda Ledford in Bloomington. They celebrated 52 years of marriage together, and she survives. He is also survived by his children: John Grace of Tulsa, OK, Josh Grace of Streator, and Haley (Jonathan Meadows) Grace of Round Rock, TX; grandchildren: John Jr., Nate, Coltin, Halie, and Jayden Grace, and Taylor, Aiden, Jocelyn, and Graham Meadows; and his brother, Melvin Grace Jr. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Mary Jane, DiAnne, and Shirley and his daughter, Audra. Bill was a skilled contractor who spent his career working in Gridley, first alongside his father and later taking over the family business. He took great pride in his craftsmanship and was passionate about his work. Bill was known for his love of Diet Pepsi, his devotion to the Chicago Bears, and his enthusiasm for cars, especially Chevys and his beloved Plymouth ’Cuda. With his warm personality and quick smile, Bill could make a friend anywhere he went. Above all, he cherished attending his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events, where he was their biggest supporter. Online memories and condolences may be shared with his family at www.calvertmemorial.com.