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MOUNT MORRIS – Sheldon B. Williams, 84, passed away Saturday, November 3, 2018, at Pinecrest Manor Nursing Home in Mount Morris.
Sheldon was born May 2, 1934, in Chicago, the son of Howard and Martha (Bate) Williams. He graduated with the Class of 1952 from Peotone High School, and graduated from North Central College in Naperville, with a degree in sociology. Sheldon married Ruth E. Strickler on June 22, 1963, in Mount Morris. She preceded him in death on July 9, 1977. Sheldon then married Myrna (Lippert) Wissing on July 12, 1986. She preceded him in death on Jan. 21, 2016.
Sheldon began teaching Junior high English and literature in Mount Morris in fall 1959, and he retired in the spring 1993, after 34 years. He followed the Chicago sports teams, especially the Chicago Cubs. Sheldon played baseball and basketball in school, and then coached the Mount Morris eighth-grade team for many years; he also coached T-ball in the Mount Morris summer leagues. He was active in the regional theater plays and musicals for more than 40 years, he liked language, playing with it and noting its absurdities, he had good humor, whether he was hearing jokes, telling jokes, and reading humorists like Will Rogers. In his retirement, Sheldon enjoyed traveling across the country visiting family or just to see new places. A fan of things Irish and British, he appreciated the chance to visit England and see his mother’s family homestead.
Sheldon is survived by his children, Jennifer Williams of Richmond, Indiana, and Christopher (Karen) Williams of Chicago; grandchildren, Samuel and Addison Williams of Chicago; stepchildren, Stuart (Lela) Wissing of Mount Morris, Marcia (Chris) Wissing-Ruhl of Tucson, Arizona; stepgrandchildren, Logan Susini of Phoenix, Matthew Wissing of Oregon, Emily (Jason) Severson of Elgin; step-great-grandchild, Becca Severson of Elgin; and cousins, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
Sheldon also was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Howard “Bill,” Robert and Roger.
Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, and the funeral at 11 a.m. Friday at Mount Morris Church of the Brethren, with the Rev. Virginia Haney officiating. Burial will be at Silver Creek Cemetery in Mount Morris.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Good Samaritan Fund at Pinecrest Community or Mount Morris Church of the Brethren.