William D. Marchand

William D. “Bill” Marchand, 83, of Metamora, IL passed away at 5:00 am on Monday, August 6, 2018 at Snyder Village in Metamora.  He was born on November 25, 1934 in Metamora, IL to Desire and Josephine (Bastian) Marchand.  He married Edna C. Seckler, November 25, 1967 and in later years Betty Stull.

Surviving are his three daughters Melanie (James) Keith of Elburn, IL, Jennifer (Thomas) Reilly of Spring Grove, PA, and Alison Marchand of Peoria; and six grandchildren Dylan and Madison Keith, John, Grace, and Daniel Reilly, and Noah McCall. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Rita and Mary Margaret, and brother Eugene.

Bill was a U.S. Army Veteran in which he served in Europe from October 1957–1959 as a mechanic.  He was a member of the American Legion Post 89 of Metamora, IL.  After Bill returned from the Army, he was employed at Metamora Woodworking in quality control, where he retired after 40+ years in March of 1997.  After retiring from Metamora Woodworking, he worked part-time at St. Mary’s Catholic Grade School as a custodian. 

In his younger years, Bill enjoyed playing cards, pool and having a couple beers on a Saturday at the local tavern with the Old Timers.  He was a long-time member of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church of Washburn, where he served on the Holy Name Society as Treasurer and volunteered at many annual spaghetti dinners.

Bill was a simple, hard-working man who loved his family and nature.  He knew not a stranger and often could be seen at the local Casey’s getting his morning coffee and donut while chatting with the locals.  He loved the small town of Washburn where he raised his children and lived for over 45 years.

Bill was not a man of riches, but rather enjoyed a simpler life that enabled him to spend quality time with all of his family.  He enjoyed teaching his daughters how to play ball, fly kites, ride bikes, camp and fish at Izaak Walton Lake, Metamora.   He was a constant spectator at his daughter’s many sporting events.  He loved riding carnival rides with his children and grandchildren. Bill was one of the most humble, selfless, and compassionate and loving people one could know.   He was a model of how a father should treat and guide his children throughout an entire lifetime.  His love for his girls and six grandchildren was beyond special.  Such souls are so rare. 

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, August 13, 2018 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Metamora with Father Greg Jozefiak officiating.  Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm on Sunday, August 12, 2018 at Mason Funeral Home Metamora Chapel.  Burial will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Metamora with military rites accorded.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois, Inc., 610 North Seventh Street, Springfield, IL 62702 or Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 North Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607, Attn: Office of Development.  Online condolences at www.masonfuneralhomes.com.

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