Macon Reporter

Reed Funeral Home, Ltd recently issued the following announcement.

Dr. William E. ‘Bill’ Alwerdt, 87, of Sullivan, passed away at 12:20 a.m. Sunday June 9, 2019 in Arbor Rose of Arcola surrounded by his family.

Celebration of Life services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Grant Wade officiating. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday. Public Masonic Rites will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday. Burial will be in the Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the American Heart Association. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

Bill was born June 23, 1931 in Greenville the son of Martin R. and Helen Everett Alwerdt. Bill graduated from Lovington High School. He then attended Emmanuel Missionary College in Berrien Springs, Michigan, Eastern Illinois University and Millikin University and then graduated from the Washington University Dental School in St. Louis, Missouri. Bill practiced dentistry in Sullivan for over 50 years. He attended the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Stewardson and served on the Moultrie County Mental Health Board. He was Past Master for the George A. Sentel Masonic Lodge # 764 AF & AM in Sullivan and was also a member of the South Macon Masonic Lodge # 467 AF & AM. Bill also served in several masonic activities including Grand Lecturer for the Illinois Grand Lodge and as resident dentist for the Illinois Masonic Home. He was chosen as the 2005 Illinois Mason of the Year. Bill was a member of the Sullivan Country Club and was a U. S. Air Force veteran of the Korean Conflict.

He married Beverly M. Whitchurch on March 15, 1952 in Sullivan and he spoiled her for 66 years until she preceded him in death on March 3, 2018.

Bill loved to golf with his friends at the Sullivan Country Club, sit on the beach and watch the dolphins, attend high school basketball games, get in the car and drive. He loved all his kids and grand kids. While in dental school he taught driver’s education in St. Louis and he often reminded his family of his driving expertise. In his youth he showed sheep and helped his grandfather paint houses in the summers.

Surviving are his daughters Janet (Darrel) Gingerich of Arthur and Leslie (Jim) Mossman of Sullivan; grandchildren Lindsey (J.P.) Young, Megan (Bret) Starkey, Tyler Mossman, Seth Gingerich and Lucas Mossman (fiancé Rendie Hamilton) and great grandsons Hudson Young and Duncan Young.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

Original source can be found here.

Source: Reed Funeral Home, Ltd