William P. Browning

Age 78 of Wilmington, Illinois, passed away Wednesday morning, November 8, 2023 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, Illinois.

Born December 24, 1944 in Elizabethtown, Illinois, William Paulie was one of ten children born to Hubert A. and Gladys Leola (Hooven) Browning. He was raised and educated in Shawneetown, Illinois and graduated from Shawneetown High School. On April 29, 1966, Bill married Lynn Ellen Stelter in Manteno, Illinois and eventually the couple would settle into their Wilmington home on November 7, 1972, where they established their roots and raised their family.

Bill gained employment with Caterpillar Tractor Company in Joliet, where he worked for 32 years before retiring at the age of 52. He was a member of Island City Baptist Church in Wilmington; the IAMUAW Local #851, and was a former member of High Point Golf Club in Essex. Bill bowled for many years and was active on various leagues near and far. Aside from his love of golf and bowling, Bill enjoyed sports of all kinds. He was a great basketball player and took pleasure in throwing bags. Bill loved anything Elvis, and was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. A jokester and prankster at heart, Bill will be remembered for being quite the story teller that found great joy in raising a reaction from the kids. While he may no longer be with us physically, he has left behind an irreplaceable collection of memories that will forever reside in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Survivors include his loving wife of 57 years, Lynn; four daughters: Cheryl (John) Finch of Acworth, Georgia, Janet Kaulen of Hiram, Georgia, Teresa (Matthew) Boynton of Wilmington and Jo Ellen Whitmire of Covington, Georgia; eight grandchildren: Jay (Heather) Finch, Jessica Finch, Matthew Boynton II, Rose Boynton, Glenn Boynton, Alex Boynton, Ashley Whitmire and Chris Whitmire; one great granddaughter, Hendrix; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Dan Smith of Kankakee, Sandy Browning of Manteno, Jean Stelter of Crown Point, Indiana, Barbara Fitch of Richton Park, Illinois, Robert Stelter of Crete, Illinois, Donna Beckett of Castle Rock, Colorado, Melvin (Kathy) Stelter of Dyer, Indiana, Gary (Ginger) Stelter, Cedar Lake, Indiana, Cindy Jackson of Powder Springs, Georgia and Judy (John) Radtke of Beecher, Illinois, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Seth Whitmire, four brothers: JW, Sherman, Harvey and Tommy Joe and five sisters: Noma, Mattie, Rosetta, Geneva and Mary.

The family will receive friends for a memorial visitation at Island City Baptist Church, 120 Vine Street in Wilmington on Friday, November 17, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. until time of memorial service, 6:00 p.m. Pastor Jeff Logsdon will officiate.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Bill’s memory to Island City Baptist Church, 120 Vine Street, Wilmington, IL 60481.

Family and friends are encouraged to log onto www.BaskervilleFuneral.com to sign the guest book, upload photographs and share Bill’s memorial page online through social media.

Cremation services and memorial arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory (815-476-2181)