William Vandeveer

William “Bill” C. Vandeveer, 89, of Peoria, passed away at 4:10 a.m. on Sunday, December 10, 2017 at Proctor Place in Peoria.
He was born on December 25, 1927, the only child of Dale and Myrtle (Steele) Vandeveer. He married Audrey Mitchell on April 10, 1949 in Greenbush. She survives.
Bill is survived by his children, Rick (Emma) Vandeveer of Peoria and Kristin (the late David) Stewart of North Pekin; grandchildren, Jeff (Ali) Stewart, Kate (Steven) Gingrich and Erin (Luke) Overcash; and great grandchildren, Elliott, Kailani and Ozzie Stewart, Crosby and Leighton Gingrich, and Briggs and Kenzie Overcash.
His parents preceded him in death.
Bill served in the US Navy from 1946-1947. He served one year on board the U.S.S. Macon. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Illinois Wesleyan University in Music Education and his Master’s Degree from Illinois State University.
Music was very important in Bill’s life. He won numerous awards for his musical abilities. He was able to play 18 different instruments and he could play all of them very well.  Bill also had a beautiful voice. He owned and operated Vans Piano Service, where he was an excellent piano tuner and could repair most musical instruments. He was the music director at Minier School from 1953-1960 and won Minier Teacher of the Year in 1960. In 1960 he moved to Farmington East High School where he was the Music Director and Chairman of the Music Department until his retirement in 1980. He was a member of the Peoria Municipal Band and the Prairie Wind Ensemble. Bill performed for years with the “Barb Lorence Trio”, “Jonni and Dave Plus Three”, and “Jim Park and the Starlighters”.
Bill could fix anything and enjoyed electrical, mechanical, plumbing and carpenter work as well as antique auto and clock repair.  He was a Master Mason for 60 years and a member of Farmington Lodge #192. Bill loved people and was a great storyteller.
He attended Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria.
A Celebration of Bill’s Life will be held at a later date this spring.
Memorial contributions may be made in Bill’s memory to Greater Peoria Honor Flight or to the Peoria Municipal Band.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Clary Funeral Home, 3004 West Lake Avenue in Peoria.

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