William L. Wallner, 85, of Springfield, died Monday, Dec. 16, 2019, at 3:20 p.m. at HSHS St. John's Hospital in Springfield.
Visitation will be held Friday, Dec. 20, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Butler Funeral Home in Springfield.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Dec. 21, at 10 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Chatham with Pastor Clarence Rogers officiating. Burial will be held in Pleasant Plains Cemetery.
Mr. Wallner was born Jan. 25, 1934, in Pleasant Plains, the son of William E. and Marie (Harms) Wallner. He married Sharon Turner on Feb. 20, 1954, and she preceded him in death. He then married Margaret "Roni" Gardner on Nov. 29, 1985, and she survives.
A graduate of Pleasant Plains High School, he served in the United States Army. He started his career working for Brandt Fertilizer, and later served on the board of directors.
He was president and an owner of Great Northern Equipment, and eventually retired from Precision Tank and Equipment. He also served as treasurer for the National Fertilizer Solution Association, was on the board of directors for Springfield Plastics and was on various committees of the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association.
Active in the Pleasant Plains community, he served on the village board, volunteered for the fire department and was a member of the Jaycees. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, boating, NASCAR and supporting local sports.
After retirement, he was very active as a member of the Sangamon Valley RC Flyers. He was a very down-to-earth, hardworking, caring, fun-loving, funny, dedicated and determined man. He loved his family and never knew a stranger. He will be greatly missed by many.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Mark (Desiree) Wallner of McHenry, Don (Nancy) Wallner of Springfield and Brad (Kim) Wallner of Farmersville; three daughters, Jonelle (Mark) Brent of Springfield, Julie (Cliff) McIntosh of Springfield and Kat (Brad Thomas) Green of Chapin, SC; 16 grandchildren, Chris (Jess), Jessica (Jake) and Jenna (Teddy) Wallner, Nicole Bolger, Kimberly (C.J.), David (Brooke) and Justin (Ashley) Wallner, Amanda (Craig) Dennis, Jon (Allie), Corrine (Chris) and Allison (Jake) Brent, Morgan and Mason McIntosh, Davis and Hayden Green, and Harper Thomas; two siblings, Geraldine Boehme of Pleasant Plains and Betty Bridgewater of Springfield; one brother-in-law, Harold (Sandy) Jurgens of Ashland; 12 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his parents and his first wife, Sharon, he was preceded in death by one brother, Harry Wallner; two sisters, Hilda Braner and Florence Jurgens; and brother-in-law, Ralph Boehme.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959, St. John's Lutheran Church, 1225 N. Main St., Chatham, IL 62629 or the American Cancer Society, 675 E. Linton, Springfield, IL 62703.
Online condolences may be left at www.butlerfuneralhomes.com.
