William R. Zimmerman

William "Bill" Robert Zimmerman, 87, of Ottawa, died May 15, 2012, at Pleasant View Luther Home. Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, June 2, 2012, at Epworth United Methodist Church with Pastor Nancy Rethford officiating; visitation will be at Epworth at noon, an hour prior to the service. Arrangements have been made through Ottawa Funeral Home. Private burial will be held in Oakwood Memorial Park. Mr. Zimmerman was born on May 30, 1924, in Ottawa to Walter A. and Louisa K. (Greener) Zimmerman. He graduated from Ottawa Township High School in 1942, where his studies included wood working and a metal working course offered by Chicago Iron and Bridge Company. After graduation, he was offered a job by Chicago Iron and Bridge at the Seneca Shipyards, where he helped build LSTs. In 1943, Bill joined the United States Army and worked as a control tower operator for the Air Force, directing air traffic at an army air base, coordinating aircraft landing, take off, and ground traffic. While in the service, he received a Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon, and Good Conduct Medal. Upon his discharge in 1946, Bill became a carpenter. Later he was employed by Bakelite Ottawa Plastics in Ottawa for over 25 years. After his retirement from Bakelite, he worked at the United States Post Office and Don's Furniture in Ottawa. Throughout his career, he continued to do carpenter work on the side. Bill married Mary P. Thomson on August 23, 1947, in Ottawa. He was a member of the Epworth United Methodist Church and was a lifetime member of the American Legion. During retirement, Bill and Mary enjoyed many winters in Texas and Florida. They also traveled to numerous other destinations, including Scotland, Hawaii, and San Francisco. Over the years, Bill established many close friendships. During his illness, he befriended Dr. Pankaj Kumar and his staff at Illinois CancerCare in Ottawa, as well as the nurses and staff at Pleasant View. A person with a great sense of humor, Bill was kind to all. He is survived by a son, William A. (Charlene) of Bloomington; two daughters, Janet Z. (Alan) Marsh and Paula J. (James York) Zimmerman, both of Ottawa; five grandchildren, Kristi A. and Nathan W. Zimmerman of Chicago, Alexander R. Marsh of Ottawa, Natalie M. Marsh of Chicago, and Andrew Kusnerik of Ottawa; and a brother, Charles W. (Gwen) Zimmerman of Ottawa. He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; and a grandson, Aaron Zimmerman. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Pleasant View Luther Home, Illinois CancerCare Foundation, or Epworth United Methodist Church.