William “Bill” E. Southard, 89, of Butler, formerly of Taylorville, died on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at his home.
Graveside ceremony was held on Friday, May 26, at Camp Butler National Cemetery, 5063 Camp Butler Road in Springfield, with military honors provided by the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County and the Department of Defense. The family has entrusted Shafer-Perfetti and Assalley Funeral Home in Taylorville.
Mr. Southard was born on April 29, 1934, in Springfield, the son of Carl Herbert and Mary Louise (Weitekamp) Southard. He graduated from Pleasant Plains High School with the Class of 1955 and was drafted into the United States Army. Bill proudly served his country with the 82nd Airborne Division. Mr. Southard owned and operated Southard Tree Service for decades, servicing Taylorville and the surrounding areas. He was a former member of the Church of God in Kincaid.
Mr. Southard is survived by his daughters, Carolyn L. (Lynn) Goebel of Rochester and Cindy Southard of Des Moines, IA; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; siblings, Ben Southard of Springfield, John “Bing” (Linda) Southard of Springfield and Bunny (Jim Haley) Southard of Big Pine Key, FL; sister-in-law, Karen Southard of Galesburg; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his faithful companion, Little Joe the Chihuahua.
He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Patricia; daughters, Charlene and Catherine; and brothers, Clarence “Buster”, George, and Bob Southard.
Condolences may be left online at www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com.
