William L. "Bill" Sterling

William L. “Bill” Sterling, 86, of Geneseo, passed away Tuesday, August 11, 2015, at Hillcrest Home in Geneseo.  A memorial service celebrating his life will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, August 17th at Vandemore Funeral Homes, Geneseo.  Deacon Harley Chaffee will officiate.  Inurnment will be at the National Cemetery on Arsenal Island in Rock Island.  Visitation will be from 9-10:30 a.m. on Monday at the funeral home.  Memorials may be made to the family.

Bill was born on February 18, 1929 in Davenport, IA the son of Jim and Carmen (Brown) Sterling.  He was united in marriage to Joyce Salzer, on June 17, 1978, in Rock Island.  Bill proudly served in the US Navy during WWII.  He drove trucks for 20 years and then worked for the Geneseo School District as a custodian for 11 years, from which he retired.  Bill was a member of the American Legion in Kewanee.  He enjoyed bingo and fishing.  Bill loved his family, especially his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce; daughter, Loretta (Patrick) Pierce of Geneseo; sons, Bradley Burris of Geneseo, Ronnie (Lacey) Burris of Geneseo, and Robert (Lacey) Burris of Galva; grandchildren, Damien, Miranda, Devin, Makala, Donavan, Kamron, Jaxx, Seth, Sara, and Benjamin; other children, Deborah, Linda, Tina, Michael, Douglas, Kenneth, and Phillip; several other grandchildren and great grandchildren; sister, Betty Jean; and brother, Bob.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, and one brother.

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