William “Bill” Powell Halstead, 88, of East Peoria, died at 2:17 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010, at his home while under Hospice care.
Born March 13, 1922, in Peoria to Harry H. and Hannah M. Donnelly Halstead, he married Cecelia R. Kemp on May 21, 1949, in Peoria. She preceded him in death on Oct. 30, 1985, in Peoria.
Surviving are four daughters, Mary Jane (Michael) Watts of Yates City, Kathleen (Ronald) Maloney of Peoria, Annette (Dale) Messmore of East Peoria, Sandra Halstead (John Ferguson) of Grandview, Wa.; his son-in-law, David Stamerjohn of Edelstein; and 10 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Janet Stamerjohn, two brothers, Harry Halstead and Robert Halstead, and one sister, Mary Scott.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he attained the rank of Corporal. As part of the Medical Corps from 1942-46, he was a technician in the dental lab in both England and France. In France, he also was honored to serve as an escort to Bob Hope.
Bill was a U.S. Letter Carrier for 39 years in East Peoria and Peoria before his retirement in 1984.
Services were Aug. 30 at Deiters Funeral Home Crematory in East Peoria. The Rev. Dr. David Stamerjohn officiated. Services concluded with the accordance of military rites at the funeral home. Visitation was Aug. 29 at the funeral home in East Peoria. Following visitation, there was a dance at the Fondulac Administration
Building to celebrate his life. Inurement will be at a later date at Fondulac Cemetery in East Peoria.
Memorials may be made to the Bill Halstead Memorial Fund to benefit local food pantries.
His memorial website is available at www.deitersfuneralhome.com, where condolences may also be left for the family.
