William J. Terrell

William J. Terrell age 94 of Swansea, IL and formerly an area resident passed away on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at his winter home in Bushnell, FL. He was born on August 15, 1929, in Hinsdale, IL, the son of Tommy and Illo L. (Scott) Terrell. William married Lucille Lou Reck on December 31, 1974. She preceded him in death on March 22, 2015. William enjoyed playing sports and was a 1948 graduate of Bradley Bourbonnais Community High School. William was a veteran of the United States Army serving during the Korean Conflict in 1951. After the war he came home and married Bonnie Ray and had three children, Paul, Penny, and Todd. He went to work in 1955 as a lineman for Illinois Bell and retired in 1993 after 38 years of employment. William was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America, Moose Lodge 1221 in Swansea, IL, Elks Lodge #664 in Fairview Heights, IL, and the VFW Post #10084 in Florida. William’s love for his kids and all his family was genuine and from the heart. His last words for family and friends: “I said a prayer for all of you today and I know God must have heard me, I felt the answer in my heart although he spoke no word. I didn’t ask for fame or wealth (I know you wouldn’t mind). I asked him to send treasures of a far more lasting kind. I asked that he be near you at the start of each day, to grant you health and blessings and friends to share the way! I asked for happiness for you in all things great and small, but it was for his loving care I prayed the most of all.” Surviving is one son, William Todd Terrell of Moline; one daughter and son-in-law, Penny (Paul) Cantwell of Momence; one daughter-in-law, Linda Terrell of Swansea, IL; two step daughters and one step son-in-law, Linda Terrell of Swansea, Mona (Ed) Nowman of Bourbonnais; grandchildren, Timothy, Tommy and Travis Terrell of Swansea, IL, Monica (Brandon) Quinlan, Eddy Nowman, Nicole (Eric) Rickenberg, all of Bourbonnais, Troy (Christy) Sullivan, Brett Cantwell of Momence, Kelsey Terrell; seven great grandchildren; and his best friend, Dewey Steele of Rock Island, IL. William is preceded in death by his wife, Lucille; his parents; one son, Paul; and one grandson, Brent Cantwell. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the 11:00 a.m. funeral on Friday, January 5, 2024, at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home, Bourbonnais. Reverend Robert Bushey will officiate the service. Interment will follow at Kankakee Memorial Gardens, Kankakee.

William J. Terrell

August 15, 1929 - December 26, 2023