- Date: 20 November 2020
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William “Bill” Corbett
William James “Bill” Corbett aged 76, of Elizabeth, IL, was airlifted from Midwest Medical Center on November 18, 2020, and passed away unexpectedly in the early morning of November 19, 2020 at the Javon Bea Hospital in Rockford, IL. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions a celebration of life will be held when it is safer to gather. Cremation rites will be accorded. The Furlong Funeral Chapel, Galena is assisting the family. He was born on December 12, 1943, in McHenry, IL to William James Corbett and Mary Margaret Leen. He was raised with his two siblings Charlene Miezio (elder sister) and James Corbett (younger brother). Bill grew up on the North side of Chicago and graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in 1961. He enlisted in the Navy and served until his honorable discharge in May 1967. He attended Coyne College for trade school, became a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), and earned his Supervising Electrician License. Bill was proud to start his own electrical contracting business, An’Cor Electric in Cicero Illinois. Bill was a 50-year member of the IBEW. He lived and worked in the Chicago area until retiring and joining his wife and second daughter in Elizabeth in 2006. It was Bill and Wende’s dream to retire to their second home and “weekend” community. Bill married his first wife Mary Jo Rakosky on May 18, 1968, and was delighted to have his first daughter, Carrie (Corbett) Gremer. On May 10, 1975, he was united in marriage to his second wife, Wende (Chrastka) Corbett. Bill and Wende shared the joy of his second daughter, Kristle Marie Corbett. He was especially proud of his granddaughter Anneliese Gremer and all her accomplishments. Bill loved all his girls and shared his favorite outdoor activities and hobbies with them. He took pride in making sure each one of them felt safe and happy, always looking out for them. Bill loved the great outdoors and some of the wilder sides of life. He liked to be the center of attention and life of the party. He made a lot of people laugh with his antics and stories. In his younger days he loved to water ski, boat on the Mississippi, fish, downhill ski, golf, hunt, and travel with his family. In his spare time, you could catch Bill on the golf course. He loved his golf game and golf buddies and looked forward to being on the green from spring to fall. In the winter he always made sure to keep a close eye on his wife Wende while she did her horse chores in the snow and ice. All of Bill’s friends were really important to him and if you knew Bill, you knew you had a friend to count on. Bill’s care and concern for his girls, family and friends also extended to his Galena community. Bill was a retired volunteer firefighter and EMT for the Scales Mound District Territory Fire Department. He took pride in his time serving on the board for Safe Haven Humane Society and loved his rescue dog and rescue grand dog, both from Safe Haven. Bill was also a proud member of the American Legion Post 193 and served as Sergeant of Arms, Color Guard and Senior Vice Commander. He was an active member of the Schapville Zion Presbyterian Church and held his church family and friends close to his heart. Bill was preceded in death by his parents William and Mary Margaret Corbett. He is survived by his wife, Wende, his daughters, Carrie (Steve) and Kristle Marie, his granddaughter, Anneliese, his sister Charleen Meizo, brother, Jim ( Sue) Corbett, his nephews, Danny ( Cindy) Meizo, Jimmy ( Bridget) Corbett and, nieces Dawn ( Joey ) Moore, and Nikki Corbett, plus his grand-nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Safe Haven Humane Society of Elizabeth, 1471 US 20, West Elizabeth IL, 61028, www.safehavenforpets.org and the Zion Presbyterian Church of Schapville, Illinois, 635 E Schapville Road, Elizabeth, IL 61028 or at www.schapvillezion.org.