William L. (Bill) Rotz, Jr. Obituary (1926

William L. (Bill) Rotz, Jr., 88, of Decatur, passed away on Tuesday (May 26, 2015) at Imboden Creek Living Center. A private family graveside service to celebrate his life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday (May 29, 2015) at Harristown Township Cemetery. Dawson & Wikoff West Wood Street Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Memorials can be made to Millikin University or the American Legion Post #105. Bill was born on July 19, 1926 in Decatur, IL, the son of W. Lawrence and Lela M. (Ludwig) Rotz. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He married Gloria Yakley on June 3, 1950. He attended Millikin University and received his Bachelor's degree from Illinois State University; he later received his Masters/Specialist degree from Eastern Illinois University. Bill began his teaching career in the Warrensburg-Latham schools and then taught for many years for Decatur Public Schools. His earliest career was as a police officer for the Wabash Railroad and, following retirement from his educational career, was a Deputy Coroner in Macon County. Bill was a member of the Harristown Christian Church. He was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, American Legion and Ionic Masonic Lodge #312. Bill spent his spare time woodworking, leatherworking and traveling. He loved to hunt and was an antique gun enthusiast. Ever humorous, articulate, intelligent, kind and fair, he was cherished by his family and friends and was highly respected by his many students and colleagues. Surviving is his devoted wife of 65 years, Gloria; three children: William L. Rotz, III and his wife Sara Davis of Decatur, Lee Ann Rotz and her husband Michael Novak of Champaign, and David Rotz of Phoenix, AZ; six grandchildren: Rudi Marie Beach, Suzannah Rotz, Hillary Proctor, Sarah (Neal) Wanat, Laura Bennett and Alyssa Rotz; three great-grandchildren: Jackson, Lilah and Aden Bertsch. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother, Sid. The family wishes to express its deep gratitude to the staff at Keystone Gardens & Meadows, Imboden Creek Living Center, Cancer Care Specialists of Decatur, Dale's Southlake Pharmacy, and Personal Medical Supply. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com.