William C. Myers

William C. “Bill” Myers, 91, of Geneseo, longtime Funeral Director and owner of Myers Funeral Home, Geneseo, passed away on Sunday, October 7, 2018, at Hillcrest Home, Geneseo. Visitation for Bill will be Friday, October 12, from 5-7 p.m. at Vandemore Funeral Home and Crematory, Geneseo. A private family funeral service will be held prior to the visitation. Private graveside funeral services will be held Saturday in Oakwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Geneseo Humane Society.

Bill was born on March 10, 1927, the son of Jerry W. and Frieda B. (Hollatz) Myers, in Geneseo, Illinois. He obtained his private pilot’s license while attending Geneseo High School, graduating in 1946. Bill was a former Sea Scouts leader, which is a program of the Boy Scouts of America. Sea Scouts was a specialized program, organized to address youth members’ boating skills and to promote knowledge of maritime heritage. Bill proudly served his country in the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II. He attended Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, IL and graduated in January 1948. Upon graduation, he joined his father, Jerry, in the family business - Myers Funeral Home - in Geneseo. The business was established by Bill’s grandfather, William L. Myers, in 1908. When William died, his son, Jerry, took over and operated the business. Bill was the third generation of Myers Funeral Directors to serve the Geneseo area.

Bill was united in marriage to Irene L. Dodge on May 7, 1950, in Geneseo. After Bill’s father, Jerry, passed away, in 1957, Bill and Irene co-owned - and in 1964, owned and operated - Myers Funeral Home. In 1976, Bill and Joe Wright formed a partnership, creating Myers-Wright Funeral Service. Both families operated the business until they retired in 1985.

When Bill was not working, he was flying his plane, which he co-owned with two other pilots. He also enjoyed operating his John Deere tractor on the farm. He could be found fixing fences, cutting trees, and working with his stock cattle. Later in his life, he re-visited a hobby of building HO train layouts. During the last three years, as a resident of Hillcrest Nursing Home, he enjoyed word games and Bingo. The family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff, and especially to Julie, for the excellent care that he received.

Bill leaves behind his wife, Irene, after 68 years of marriage. He also leaves two daughters, Jean (Wayne) Hulting, Chisago City, MN and Lynn Myers, Geneseo. His two grandchildren are Sarah (Mark) Ksiazek and Mark Hulting. His three great-grandchildren are Lucas and Anna Ksiazek and Finn Hulting-Abram, all of Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Geraldine Kewley.