William Thomas Downing's Obituary
William Thomas Downing, 75, of Decatur, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, April 22, 2006 in his home, with his family by his side.
Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Bill's life will be 11 am. Wednesday, April 26, 2006 in St. Patrick Catholic Church, Rev. Jeff Grant celebrant. Visitation will be from 9:30 am. until the service time in the church. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Cancer Care Specialists of Central Illinois and/or St. John's Hospice. Moran & Goebel Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Born July 16th, 1930, Dad grew up on the north end of Decatur at the residence of 2430 North Water Street. He attended Decatur High for two years. He finished high school at The Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1948.
Dad attended Duke University in Durham, North Carolina from 1948-1952, graduating with an English major in 1952. Dad played basketball for Duke for his first three years, beginning as a walk-on. He wore number 11, which was the same number that Bobby Hurley later wore, and which was subsequently retired. Dad was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and completed the Reserved Officers Training Core ROTC program at Duke.
Dad served our country in the U.S. Navy as an officer, rank Lieutenant JG, from 1952-1954, much of it aboard the USS Triumph AM 323, a minesweeper with tours from Charleston, S.C. up and down the East Coast, and down the St. Lawrence Seaway to Quebec, and also tours in the Mediterranean. Dad had the utmost respect for our men and women serving their country in the military.
After fulfilling his ROTC commitment, Dad entered law school at the University of Notre Dame beginning in 1954 and graduating in 1957.
He married Mary Elizabeth Liz Sheehan on August 11th, 1956 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Decatur, Illinois and she survives. He is also survived by his children: William A. Carol Downing of Morton, Illinois; Thomas Poyntelle Tanya Renee Russell Downing of St. Charles, MO; Mary Elizabeth Downing Gregory Heck of Peoria; Gerald Laux Patricia Downing of Decatur and Jane Amelia Downing Massey of O'Fallon, MO. Grandchildren: Matthew Robert, Anna Elizabeth, Sarah Katharine, Laura Christine and Paul Andrew Downing; Michael Seard and Elizabeth Camille Massey.
He worked for a year as a law clerk for Judge Roger Kiley of the 1st Appellate Court of Illinois in Chicago, before returning to Decatur to practice law with his father, Poyntelle, Albert Smith, Marvin Jorgensen, Roswell Prince, Bob Uhl, and Jim Uhl at 295 North Franklin. Dad practiced law for over 46 years in Decatur, specializing in trust, real estate, and tax law. He was the attorney for First Mutual Bank, Decatur, Illinois and Gerber State Bank, Argenta, Illinois for many years.
Dad was active in the local chapter of the American Red Cross for many years.
Dad enjoyed playing and watching many sports with his family, and going on family vacations to Colorado and Florida. Dad loved his children and grandchildren very much. He instilled in his children the values of honesty, integrity, and hard work. He believed in the importance of a formal education, providing his kids the opportunity to attend college and graduate school. He was a great husband, father, grandfather, mentor, and leader. He was always there for his family. He was the epitome of personal and professional excellence.
Dad was preceded in death by his parents, William Poyntelle and Ruth Lavery, and two sisters, Amelia Frances Downing and Nancy Downing Buschmeyer.
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