Elzie William (Bill) Fitzgerald, 89, passed away on December 4, 2024, at the Richard Owens Hospice Home in Peoria, IL.
Bill was born on April 11, 1935, during a spring snowstorm at Alliance, NE to Verne Sr. and Laura (Ballard) Fitzgerald. He graduated from Hay Springs High School in 1953. Bill enlisted in the Army and left for Fort Bliss, TX on December 29th, 1954, where he dislocated his shoulder and was sent home on March 16, 1955.
Bill was united in marriage to Phyllis Jean Dotson at the Hay Springs Methodist Church on July 8, 1956. Bill worked for the Alliance Post Office for over 30 years, working his way up the rank through the years. He also worked harvests and part-time for Ehrhart Bean Company for many years.
Bill was united in marriage to his second wife Lynn Williams Rice on January 8, 1999, they resided in Arizona and then later moved and settled in Illinois.
Dad had the best smile and always a twinkle in his eyes. Dad was a good man, a good father, and one of the nicest people that we knew, he was our hero always. He had good stories and jokes, loved a good whiskey, and was hell on wheels with card games, especially Cribbage.
Bill is survived by his wife Lynn of Illinois. Son Michael and Jan, Cottage Grove, MN; daughter Pam and Bill Henderson, Jr, Alliance, NE. Grandchildren Sarah Beatty, Buffalo, MN; William Fitzgerald, Brooklyn Park, MN; Jeri Massie, Cheyenne, WY; Gary Henderson, Chicago, IL. Great grandchildren Charles Beatty, Samantha Beatty, Trenton Fitzgerald, and Anthony Massie. His brother Alfred Davis Fitzgerald, TX; sister-in-law Charlene Fitzgerald, NM; nieces Shari Harris, MO; Lori and Doc Murray, NM; nephews Ken and Leslie Fitzgerald, NE; Dave Fitzgerald, NE.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife Phyllis, babies Jeri La Dene and Steven. His brother Verne Jr.; sister and brother-in-law Elaine and Earl Ryckman; sisters-in-law Lucille (Peggie) Fitzgerald and Brenda Fitzgerald.
Burial will be on Friday, December 6, 2024, at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery, also known as the Historical Apple Cemetery in Lewistown, IL, where many of his Fitzgerald and Stufflebeam family are buried.
Those wishing to remember Bill may make donations in his name to benefit the Richard Owens Hospice Home to OSF Health Care Foundation, 124 SW Adams Street, Peoria, IL 61602, with a specified designation to Hospice care.