William F. "Bill" Costigan Obituary (1926 - 2014)

William F. "Bill" Costigan, 88, of Bloomington, died at 4:25 p.m. Friday, November 14, 2014 at his home surrounded by his family. His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at Holy Trinity Church, Bloomington, with Monsignor Douglas Hennessy and Rev. R. Anthony Lee officiating. Burial will be in St. Marys Cemetery, Bloomington. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Monday, November 17, 2014 at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington. Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 711 N. Main St., Bloomington, IL 61701. Bill was born in Bloomington on February 6, 1926, the son of Will F. and Madalon Carroll Costigan. He married Marilyn Cassidy on November 29, 1952 in Peoria. Marilyn preceded Bill in death along with three of their children, Mary, Bill and Diane Costigan. Surviving are five daughters, Ann (Dean) Davis, Sally (Michael) Sprague, Katie (Tom) Kloss, Susie (Jim) Derry, Christy (Steve) King and one son, Casey (Beth) Costigan. Bill was blessed with twenty-eight grandchildren, all of whom adored their "Pappa Bill", as well as three great-grandchildren. In 1995 Bill married Connie Sloan in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She survives in addition to her three children, Steve (Marcy) Sloan, Cheryl (Jerry) Parsel and Kim (Michael) Coolbroth; and her seven grandchildren. Bill attended Washington Grade School, Bloomington High School and the University of Illinios. He went on to receive a Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree from the University of Illinois and started his law practice with the firm of Costigan, Wollrab Yoder. Bills love of the law was evident in the integrity and devotion in which he practiced his profession. He was passionately involved throughout his career in all aspects of the law. He was President of the McLean County Bar Association in 1976, served on the Board of the Illinois State Bar Association from 1984-1993, participated in several Allerton House Conferences on Civil Practices and Procedures and served on a special Committee of ISBA for Recommendations for the Redistricting of the Federal Courts of Illinois. Bill had a long service in Lawyer Disciplinary matters dating back to the time when Disciplinary Recommendations were made by an Inquiry Committee of the Illinois State Bar Association to the Supreme Court. After the establishment of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, Bill was Chair of the Inquiry Division, was Chair of the Hearing Division and was Chair of the Review Board. He was also an assistant Attorney General working with the Department of Transportation and Department of Conservation. He was a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, a member of the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel and Defense Research Institute and Bill was the Chairman of the Character and Fitness Committee for Admission to the Illinois Bar, Fourth District. In 2002, Bill was named a Laureate of the Illinois State Bar Association. This honor is awarded to those deemed to exemplify the highest ideals of the law profession. He also received the Lincoln Award of Excellence from the McLean County Bar Association. Bill also devoted his time and energy in serving his community. He was a past director of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce, Past President of the YMCA and a past member of the McLean County Planning and Zoning Commission. Bill was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and served for many years as a trustee of the church and Chairman of the Finance Committee. In 2005, Bill received the Pere Marquette Award which recognizes individuals for their selfless contributions to the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Peoria. He was active in the Knights of Columbus Council 57. He served as Grand Knight of the Council, was a district deputy for the Knights of Columbus and was a member of the Exemplification Team of the 4th Degree for many years. He served as a member of the Community Board of St. Josephs Medical Center and was a division chairman for the construction of todays OSF St. Joseph Medical Center. He was a board member of Bloomington Country Club, the Loyal Order of the Moose and Seafood Club. Bill was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and Phi Delta Phi Professional Fraternity at the University of Illinois. He served with the United States Navy from 1944-1946 in the South Philippines. His lifelong best friend and sister, Sue Reidy, also survives Bill. His other three sisters, Carroll Crosthwait, Sally Kruger and Joan Costigan preceded him in death. For the past 3 " years, Bills life has been graced by his "buddy" and caretaker, George.There are so many friends, relatives and beloved family rejoicing in heaven that Bill has finally joined them. Heavens gain is certainly our loss. Good-bye to the most wonderful husband, father, father-in-law, Pappa, brother, mentor and friend we have known. The celebration of your life has just begun!rnTo express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.