William "Bill" J. Pritchard

William J. “Bill” Pritchard, 75, of Atkinson, passed away suddenly on Thursday, April 19, 2018, at OSF St. Francis in Peoria, IL. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, at Vandemore Funeral Home & Crematory, Atkinson Chapel. Reverend Terry Lancaster will officiate. Burial will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery in Kewanee, IL. Visitation will be held on Monday, April 23, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home in Atkinson. Memorials may be directed to the Annawan-Alba Fire Department, the Atkinson Fire Department, or the Atkinson Congregational Church.

Bill was born on February 22, 1943, the son of John W. and Lois (Manthe) Pritchard, in Kewanee, IL. He married Josie Lake on October 8, 1967, at the Atkinson Congregational Church. Bill was a lifetime farmer and belonged to the American Hereford Association. He enjoyed raising cattle and farming. He was also a member of several church boards and was an active 4-H leader. Bill will be remembered as a kind and gentle person that never knew a stranger. He was loved by many.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Josie, son, Todd A. Pritchard, Atkinson, daughter, Tamera J. (Nathan) Fulton, Atkinson, and several loving cousins.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lois.