William Bill Mcnett

WASHINGTON?Dr. William "Bill" M. McNett, 85, of Washington, passed away peacefully at 12:50 a.m., Sunday, August 17, 2014 at Reflections in Washington. Bill was born on August 14, 1929 in Oregon, Illinois to William D. and Glady (Nalley) McNett. He was raised in Mt. Morris. Bill married Gloria McDonald on September 13, 1951 at the Lacon Methodist Church. Gloria survives. Bill and Gloria were blessed with two children, Dr. Michael McNett of Genesse, WI and Kelly (Bob) Ziegler of Washington. Also surviving are two granddaughters, Michelle McNett and Amber O?Malley; great granddaughter, Hailey Bolen: sister-in-law, Kathy (Wayne) Armbrust and brother-in-law, Bill Nettz. He was preceded in death by his parents and four sisters, Drucilla, Virginia, Katie and Joan. Bill was a 1947 graduate of Mt. Morris High School. He went on to graduate with honors from Eureka College where he was student body president and active in the music areas. After serving in the Army during the Korean War, he went on to earn his MA and Ed.D. at Bradley University and Western Colorado University. Bill had spent 13 years teaching English at Washington High School. He was one of the first teachers hired when ICC opened in 1967 where he spent 18 years as an English professor and Department Chairman. He has served on the WCHS School Board, Eureka Alumni Board, ICC Retirees Association and active in the Peoria Genealogical Society and its Computer Interest Group. He also had been active in the Washington Rotary Club, Crossroads United Methodist Church, Peoria Computer Club. Bill had received honors from the White House Conference on Economic Concerns, Nu Upsilon Upsilon, Phi Delta Kappa Service Award, Who?s Who in American College and Universities, Who?s Who in the Midwest, NDEA Fellowship Award, Peoria Conty Genealogical Society Service Award and the Logsdon, Loren, Ed., EUREKA LITERARY MAGAZINE, Advisory board. He also had three publications, "Community College Frontiers" (1976), "A Description and Evaluation of a Sequential Composition Program in a Comprehensive Community College" (1975) and "The Forgotten Residents of Peoria State Hospital" (1995). The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staffs of Care Solutions in Morton and Reflections Memory Care in Washington as well as Dr. Ronald Hake. A time of sharing and remembering Bill will be held at 6 p.m., Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at Crossroads United Methodist Church where a meal will also be shared. In keeping with Bill?s request, cremation rites have been accorded and Mason-White Funeral Home is assisting the family in arrangements. Memorials for Bill may be directed to either Eureka College or Crossroads United Methodist Church.