Poplar Grove, IL

William G. "Bill" Parris, 82, of Poplar Grove, IL passed away Wednesday morning March 4, 2015 in Swedish American Hospital, Rockford, IL after a lingering illness.  Bill was born January 18, 1933 in Keokuk, Iowa the son of Alpha and Catherine (Manning) Parris.  He married Kay Cossel on June 12, 1960 in Barker Evangelical United Brethren in Scotland County, Missouri.  Bill graduated from Gorin, MO High School in 1951 and enlisted into the US Air Force in February 1953 serving during the end portion of the Korean War.  He was discharged in 1961 after serving an additional 4 years in the Air Force reserves.  Bill started his work career in farming with his father.  He then became a flight instructor, training TWA flight engineers.  In 1966 he went to work as a corporate pilot for Brunswick.  In 1975 Bill became chief pilot and director of flight operations for Coleman Air Transport.  1980 brought a new opportunity when he and two others formed Alpine Aviation at Greater Rockford Airport.  Bill finished his career in the insurance industry.  Bill was a faithful member of Poplar Grove United Methodist Church and served as the chairman of Evangelism for the Elgin District of the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church.  He was a lifetime member of Gideons International and was also a life member of the Masons.  Bill served on the board of directors of Candlewick from 1980 through 1984, serving as president for two years.  He was also a member of the Missouri Flying Farmers.

William is loved and will be missed by his wife, Kay of Poplar Grove; children, Johnna Garner of Clarklake, MI, Konrad (Suzi) Parris of Poplar Grove, IL, Jennifer (Debbie) Parris of Kankakee, IL; grandchildren, John and Ava Parris of Poplar Grove; sister, Maxine Lewis of Dixon, IL; sister in-law Karen (Ron) Kuntz of Marietta, GA; brother in-law, Cecil (Margie) Cossel, Jr. of Montrose, IA; nieces and nephews.  William is predeceased by his parents, son in-law, Robert Garner and brothers in-law, Kenneth Lewis and Byron Young.

Memorial visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, March 8, 2015 in Anderson Funeral and Cremation Services at Buck-Wheeler-Hyland Chapel, 218 W. Hurlbut Ave., Belvidere, IL.  A memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 9, 2015 in Poplar Grove United Methodist Church, 105 E. Grove Street, Poplar Grove, IL 61065 with Rev. Christopher Druce Jones officiating.  Memorials can be given in care of Gideons International – Boone Camp or Poplar Grove United Methodist Church in William's name.  To light a candle or to share a memory, please visit.www.AndersonFCS.com