William Jeffrey “Wild Bill “ Norris, 83, of Farmersville, formerly of Palmyra, died in his sleep on Wednesday Dec. 11, 2019, at his residence.
Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Farmersville. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. following the visitation, at the church. Burial will follow, at St. Martins Cemetery in Farmersville. Airsman-Hires Funeral Homes and Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mr. Norris was born on Aug. 6, 1936 in Pana, to the late William A. and Anna Mary Endris Norris. He was raised in Farmersville and later moved to Greenfield where he attended Greenfield High School. He married the love of his life, Alma Jean Ralston, of Palmyra, on June 9, 1956, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Palmyra. Theirs was the first marriage performed in the new church.
After marrying, the Norris' resided in Scottville, Murrayville, Palmyra and then finally Farmersville, where he retired in 1999. He loved his family and watching them grow up. Affectionately known as “Wild Bill,” Mr. Norris never knew a stranger and was always ready to wheel and deal. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic church in Farmersville and was a faithful servant to his Lord.
Mr. Norris is survived by his wife; five children, Mark (Vickie) Norris of Farmersville, Jeff (Emily) Norris of Farmersville, Teresa (Jerry) Ambrose of Scottville, Jean (Bill) Langley of Jacksonville and Anna (Barry) Austin of Franklin; fifteen grandchildren, Robbie (Melissa) and Bryan (Allison) Morehead, Chris (Susan) Norris, Becky (Marc) Myers, Sarah (Doug) Drew-Campbell, Jennifer (Mat) Dalton, Justin (Clarissa) Ambrose, Elisha (Bob) Lonergan, Nick and Brett Langley, Danielle (Mick Londrigan) Austin, Lacie (Casey Zimmer) Austin, Abilene, Emmalyn and Allison Norris (aka the Norris girls); fourteen great-grandchildren; a brother, Robert “Bob” Norris of Greenfield; several nieces and nephews; and his faithful dog Joe.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, “their angel” Anna Marie; sisters, LaVeta “Tootie” Gerlach, Mary Catherine Langheim and Norma Jean Norris.
Memorials may be directed to the Farmersville-Waggoner Rescue Squad, c/o Stults-Neece Chapel, 349 Tanner, Waverly, Il. 62692. Condolences may be left online at www.airsman-hires.com.
