Age 88 of Celebration, Florida, died Sunday, December 7, 2025, at his residence.
Born October 5, 1937, in Morris, Illinois, William T. Dvorak was the son of William and Rosie (Tarran) Dvorak. Following his mother’s passing when he was just a year and a half old, he was lovingly raised in Mazon, Illinois, by his maternal grandparents, Edith and Chris (“Daddy Chris”) Tarran. He graduated from MVK High School with the Class of 1955 and went on to attend Rockford Business College in Rockford, Illinois where he would meet the love of his life, Florence L. Norman. After completing business school, he worked briefly for Caterpillar and Libbey-Owens-Ford before entering military service.
On April 13, 1958, William and Florence were married in Shawneetown, Illinois, beginning a 67-year journey together. They honeymooned in Pensacola and Tallahassee before William entered the United States Army, serving honorably for two years with Battery A, 37th Artillery at Fort Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska.
After completing his military service, William began a 34-year career with AT&T, ultimately serving as a corporate trainer. He was an avid traveler who always looked forward to the next great adventure with Florence. Family was the foundation of his life, and he cherished his roles as a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Survivors include his children: William A. Dvorak, Dawn L. (Dvorak) Bergen, and Debra S. (Dvorak) Lundquist; six grandchildren: Andrew S. Lundquist, Joseph Tarran, Adam R. (Corissa G. Stoliker) Lundquist, Kevin R. Bergen, Emily R. (Lundquist) Slager, and Austin T. Lundquist (fiancé: Devin M. Allen); three great grandchildren: Cole T. Slager, Cameron R. Slager, and Reese C. Slager; son-in-law: Steven R. Lundquist; grandson-in-law: Jason S. Slager; brothers and sister-in-law: Arthur J. (“Butch”) Norman, Carol A. Norman, and J.R. (Bob) Conroy; and several nieces and nephews.
William was preceded in death by his parents, William and Rosie (Tarran) Dvorak; sisters-in-law: Nancy L. (Norman) Johnson, and Nola J. (Norman) Conroy.
Per his wishes, cremation rites are being accorded, and a private interment will be held at Oakwood Cemetery in Wilmington, Illinois.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Grundy County Historical Society, located at 510 W. Illinois Ave., Morris, IL 60450. For additional information, the Historical Society may be reached at 815-942-4880 or online at Grundy County Historical Society
Family and friends are encouraged to log onto www.BaskervilleFuneral.com to sign the guestbook, upload photographs, and share William’s memorial page online through social media.
Cremation services and memorial arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington. (815-476-2181)
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