William A. Yowell Obituary (1926 - 2014)

William A.Yowell, 88, of Bloomington, died at 9:35 am, Thursday, August 28, 2014 at his home.Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00pm, Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home, Bloomington. His graveside service will be at Noon, Wednesday, September 3, 2014, at Holy Cross Cemetery, Gillespie, Illinois.Memorials may be made to the Community Cancer Center, Normal, Illinois.William was born March 6, 1926 in Macoupin Station, Illinois, the son of William and Aletha Curtis Yowell. He married Helen J. Osterman on April 14, 1950 in Pocahontas, Arkansas. She preceded him in death on June 21, 2012.He is survived by one daughter, Karen Yowell, Bloomington; two sons, Bill (Lynne) Yowell, Lake Bloomington and Michael (Angela) Yowell, Riverton, Wyoming; six grandchildren, Jennifer (Corey) Biggs, Kansas City, MO, Justine (Jeremy) Miller, Bloomington, Lindsay (Jonathan) Eickhorst, Bloomington, Michelle (LJ) Witkowski, Mokena; and Spenser and Jordan Yowell, Riverton, WY; and nine great-grandchildren with one more on the way.He was preceded in death by four sisters, Hazel Dowland, Claribel Deruy, Marvene Barrick and Anita Paynter.We believe our Dad would have described his journey like this...I grew up understanding that there was a lot of opportunity if you worked hard and set your mind to going after it. I also understood that family was everything and that my goal in life was to support their well being, not only by providing the necessities, but providing advice, sharing experiences and constantly asking forward looking questions. Of course, most of my life and my deep love was shared with my wife, whom Ive profoundly missed in the last two years. Much credit goes to her for helping shape the family I am so proud of today.As I look back on my life, turning 19 as a Marine on Iwo Jima as part of the 13th Artillery Group that supported the 28th Marines Infantry, the infantry that raised the American Flag that signaled the securement of Mount Suribachi during WWII. Thus it became a part of who I was and how I carried out my years. Being a Marine and serving my country both then and later in the Korean War gave me solid footing and allowed me to be a part of a group of comrades for the rest of my life. I was overwhelmed by the Honor Flight I took last September due to the thoughtfulness of a fellow comrade and friend.My hard work and resiliency allowed me to move up through the International Truck organization and eventually own a dealership in Normal, Illinois " Yowell International. This was a family effort. Helen and the kids moved many times and made sacrifices of which I was most grateful. I had high expectations of my three children and they have honored those in their integrity, their devotion to their families and raising their children with those same qualities. I have been blessed in watching them grow and pursue their own paths. Talking with them about their interests, families and careers has been a constant source of enjoyment and pride. And, the nine (with one more on the way) great-grandchildren have been a sheer joy. Least not I forget to mention the Cardinals and my two hole-in-ones!rnrnI would be remiss if I didnt talk about the friendships Helen and I had throughout our life. We loved being with friends and were fortunate to have so many close relationships, whether it be in Normal, Lake of the Ozarks or the many friends in other places we have had the fortune of visiting and keeping in touch. These times and great memories sustained us through both the good and more difficult periods in our lives. There are also very special, dear friends, who cared for both Helen and I in our later years that we couldnt have gotten along without.To my beloved wife " I am coming to see you for that long boat ride, to my kids and grandchildren " you are my legacy, and to my friends " have one for me... Signed, This "Old Marine" Semper FirnrnThe family would like to thank Dr. Hancock and Abby for their care and support, Shelby for being there with him at the end, as well as Del and Mike and the wonderful neighbors that were part of the network that supported Dad had in these last few years.