William "Bill" Strawson

Age 63 of Wilmington, Illinois died Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at Citadel Care in Bourbonnais, Illinois.

Born May 3, 1960 in Joliet, Illinois, William Arthur was a son of Arthur and Claire (Audette) Strawson. He was raised in Wilmington and graduated from Manteno High School with the Class of 1978. On August 31, 1985, Bill married Ann Lang at Shepherd of the Hill Lutheran Church in Lockport, Illinois, and together they made their home and raised their family in rural Wilmington.

He was a truck driver with Central Illinois Transporation in Kankakee, Illinois, but his lifelong passion was farming and raising Black Angus Cattle. Bill was an active participant of the Manteno FFA agricultural cooperative, both the Illinois Beef Association and the American Angus Association, the Will County Farm Bureau, and the Wesley 4-H Hustlers. He understood that cattle farming was not just a profession, but a way of life that he was proud to be a part of and share with his family.

Bill always looked forward to fair season, giving him the opportunity to show his cattle and spend time with friends, especially "Fair Elle". He was also a member of St. Rose Catholic Church and took pleasure in Professional Bull Riding and playing Solitaire. Bill was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and had a sharp wit, rarely left without a quick one liner or comeback. He was a kind man who loved his family dearly, as well as his surrogate grandchildren Hayden and Brian, and was so looking forward to becoming a grandpa this Fall.

Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Ann Strawson of Wilmington; two sons: Kyle Strawson (Jess Veenstra) of Wilmington, and Justin (Emma) Strawson of Kankakee, who are expecting Bill's first grandchild in November; one brother, Ron (Eileen) Strawson of Kankakee; his mother-in-law, Joan Lang of Mokena, Illinois, and his sister-in-law, Cindy O'Dea of Orland Park, Illinois; and many nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, and his father-in-law, Kenneth Lang.

Visitation and video tribute will be Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road, in Wilmington from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 604 South Kankakee Street, in Wilmington at 10:00 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated and burial will follow at Wesley Cemetery in Rural Wilmington.

Pallbearers will be Kyle Strawson, Justin Strawson, Jerry Jackson, Jerry Lorenz, Kevin Fregeau, John Smith, Dave McMurtry, and Jim Plese.

Those who wish to attend Bill's funeral services virtually may join a livestream on Wednesday which can be found on Bill's memorial page.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Bill's memory to Uplifted Care Hospice in Bourbonnais, Illinois or to a FFA or 4-H Club of the donor's choosing.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book, upload photographs, and share Bill's memorial page via social media.

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