Reverend William "Bill" James Myers

The Reverend William 'Bill' James Myers died on Sunday March 22, 2020 , after a lengthy illness. Born on December 22, 1930, in Assumption, IL to Wayne and Veta Myers, Bill was the 4 ^th oldest of 6 children.

A graduate of Mowequa High School, Bill grew up on a farm, but his interest in music led to his playing trombone in the 5 ^th Army Band at Fort Sheridan in Chicago during the Korean War. He also spent time overseas in Tokyo as well as Fort Carson in Colorado After his 3-year military stint, he attended college at William Jewel University, then on to seminary at North Central Seminary in Kansas City, MO. After his ordination, his first church was in Superior, Nebraska. In his 50-year career, he also served UCC churches in South Dakota, Illinois and Ohio. For a short interim period, he spent a period of his work life as chaplain at the Dwight, IL Women's Correctional Facility and as a counselor at the Stateville Penitentiary in Joliet, IL. He finished his ministry at the John Calvin St Paul UCC Church in Youngstown, Ohio, serving for 25 years. Bill was also an avid and talented golfer. He loved all animals, especially cats and dogs. He was a master at the game of Rook. He was known for his fair-mindedness for and acceptance of all. His non-traditional sermons were homespun- often humorous, filled with real-life family tales- homilies full of faith, love, forgiveness and grace. While his passing is mourned greatly, a far greater loss would have been not having him as a husband, father, grandparent, minister and friend.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Elnore Beadles and Dora Lee Huffman and brothers Roger, Francis 'Bud' and Darryl and grandson Evan Myers. He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of 43 years, Sandra (nee Specht), his children, Douglas (Lana) Myers, Derek (Cami) Myers and Melanie (Earl) Riley, grandchildren, Doug, Jr., Amy, Trace and Vaughn Myers, Mason and Mitchell Riley, and great grandchildren Kai and Will Myers, and sister-in-law Gail Specht.

A memorial service will be held at the First Congregational UCC church of DeKalb at a future date. Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Finch Crematory. Arrangements were entrusted to: Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL, 60115 (815) 758-3841.