William'Bill' Louis Laird

William "Bill" Louis Laird, 84, of Danville, passed away at 2:50 AM Monday, May 14, 2012 at Provena United Samaritans Medical Center in Danville. Bill was born in Danville on February 3, 1928 to Carroll and Virgil Marie (Brown) Laird. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters Helen Vollstedt and Alice Hood, and two brothers Glen Laird and Art Laird. He married Shirley Ann Miller on August 11, 1950. She survives. Other survivors include one son William Gene (Sherrie) Laird of Danville; three daughters, Nancy Ann (Jim) Harper of Englewood, FL; Karen Sue (Jeff) Leeman of Pekin, IL; and Deanna Kay (Joe) Cuddihy of Denver, CO, two sisters, Doris Marie Ivey of Danville and Leora Ann Hutchison of Covington, IN. Also surviving are ten grandchildren: Jason Gene Laird of Cape Coral, FL; Daniel William (Niki) Laird of Rossville, IL; Amanda Rose (Josh) Drude of Danville, Michael Allen (Amanda) Dodson of Evergreen Park, IL; Melissa Sarah Dodson of Knoxville, TN; Matthew James Ashby of Killeen, TX; Joseph J Leeman of Fort Riley, KS; Bethany Grace Leeman of Pekin, IL; Benjamin David Leeman of Pekin, IL; and Aubrey Lorianna Cuddihy of Denver, CO. and twelve great-grandchildren: Kyler, Madisun, Macy, & Grayson Laird; Logan & Gage Laird; Noah, Owen, & Evan Drude; Sarah & Benjamin Dodson; and Jacob Ashby. Bill served two years in the Korean War. He was a member of Second of Church of Christ. He attended Danville High School and was a graduate of Allied Institution of Technology. He retired from Blackie's Automatic Engineering Company in December 1994 after 50 years of service as a HVAC technician and sheet metal fabricator. He loved his family dearly and always had a wonderful sense of humor. He loved to tease his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He took pride in his tools and equipment. He enjoyed yard work, genealogy, auctions, and most of all dancing with Shirley. A Celebration of Bill's Life will be held on Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 2:00 PM at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, A Life Celebration Home in Danville with Reverend Drew Mentzer officiating. A visitation will be held from 4-7 PM on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Spring Hill Cemetery in Danville. Memorials can be made in Bill's name to the Second Church of Christ. Condolences can be left at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com