Billy Eugene Erickson Obituary (1928

Billy Eugene "Bill" Erickson, 91 of Normal passed away at 11:55 AM Saturday July 27, 2019 at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center in Normal. There will be a funeral service for Bill at 10 AM Saturday August 3, 2019 at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home in Bloomington. Pastor Chad Thompson will officiate. There will be a visitation Friday August 2, 2019 from 4-7 PM at the Memorial Home. A Masonic service will be held at 6:45 PM. Interment will be in Park Hill Cemetery in Bloomington. Military rites will be performed by the Bloomington - Normal American Legion Honor Guard. Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home in Bloomington is handling arrangements. Bill was born June 6, 1928 in Bloomington to Willis and Elizabeth Wilson Erickson. On July 8, 1951 he married Christine "Chris" Lowenstein in Bloomington. She survives. He is also survived by his three children Barb (Hans) Hankemeier of Bloomington, Rick (Sherry) Erickson of Bloomington and Connie (Darrell) Thompson of Wentzville, MO, six grandchildren, Jenelle (Ben) Smaga, Thad (Melissa) Hankemeier, Stacey Erickson, Andrew (Serena) Erickson, Chad (Angela) Thompson, Scott (Missy) Thompson, eighteen great-grandchildren, one brother Richard (Bev) Erickson of Fallbrook, CA, and two half-brothers, Ken Anderson of Sutherlin, Oregon and Kurt Anderson of Jackson Hole, WY. Bill was also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one sister Betty Erickson and one stepbrother Dale Quast. Bill proudly served his country in the Unites States Navy as a Seabee during World War II, from the years 1946-1950. He later owned and operated Erickson's Auto Service from 1957-1988. After retiring from auto repair in 1992 he worked at Brandt Trucking and Western Auto. He was a longtime member of West Olive Faith Methodist Church in Bloomington. He also served in the Boy Scouts as Assistant Scout Master for Troop 17 for seven years. Bill was a member of the Bloomington Masonic Lodge 43 and the Shrine Club - Novat Unit. He was a 67-year member of the American Legion Post 56 and took part in the American Passion Play for 25 years as a Roman Guard. Bill enjoyed camping, canoeing, and had a talent for cooking over the campfire. He always enjoyed time with his family and especially the great-grandchildren. He loved to tease and taught his family that honesty is the best policy. Bill always enjoyed a good meal with his family and friends at the local "Steakem and Shakem." Memorial contributions may be made to West Olive Faith Methodist Church or to the Shriners Children's Hospital.