William Walter "Bill" Prendergast

William Walter "Bill" Prendergast, 77, died peacefully on July 4 surrounded by loved ones. He was born to Joseph T. and Margaret D. (Dillon) Prendergast on 11/17/1947 in Evergreen Park, IL. William answered to numerous nicknames, including Bill, Billy, Billy Boy, Mr. Bill, Willie, Flaco (Skinny Guy), Uncle Bunko, but mostly, Uncle Bill. When Bill played football at Little Flower Grade School, his former teammates from St. Helena's (the opposing team) carried him off the field on their shoulders at the end of the game, in celebration of finding their long-lost friend. He attended high school at Divine Heart Seminary in Donaldson, IN. He graduated from Lewis College, majoring in history and education. Bill was an avid reader and instilled a love of reading to generations of children, particularly when he spent his days off one summer, reading “The Hobbit” to the younger siblings and to so many neighbor kids. He gave each child a character name from the story, and because he worked in an office supply store, so he also made each child a name tag for their character. Later, he worked as a silversmith's apprentice, delivering engraved jewelry to the gold district in New York City. He attended nursing school in Pennsylvania. Bill was a registered nurse in Milwaukee, working for the Visiting Nurse Association for 10 years before returning to school to hone his skills, which led him to St. Luke's Hospital where he worked for more than 20 years. He made a point of working on Mother's Day each year so that a lucky coworker could spend that day with her children. Bill sang and played guitar and taught younger siblings the same. He made wine and entered it in the Wisconsin State Fair, where he also took best of show for his pineapple pepper jelly. He planted paw paw trees and enjoyed making jam with the fruit. He was a five-time Champion Canner at the Sandwich Fair for his jams and jellies. His friends described him as sweet, interesting, generous, funny, unfailingly kind, a unique person, a thoughtful listener, and the best writer of postcards and letters. He loved eating baked goods, especially cookies and breads. He enjoyed working at the Sandwich Fair after he retired from nursing. Bill really appreciated the friends he made through his support group and exercise groups at Wellness House in Hinsdale and was really happy to walk the 3K fundraiser in May with the Crown Royals team. He enjoyed numerous friendships in the Dixon Kiwanis Club and volunteered to support the bell ringers at Christmastime. He was a cherished member of the Eagles Nest Art Group in Oregon, IL where he sometimes enjoyed plein air painting. He was a member of the Uncle Ronnie's Club. Bill is survived by his younger siblings, Michael (Nancy Doherty), John (Eileen), Mary (James) Murtaugh, Margaret (David) Holtschlag, Patricia Lytle, Timothy, Daniel, Anne (Steven) Hilliard, Anthony (Laura), and Dorothy (Philip) Gable, numerous nieces and nephews and their offspring, sister-in-law Patricia Tennison, and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother, Joseph, brother-in-law Thomas Lytle, one nephew, his dear friend and neighbor, Mary March, and his best friend James Shudak, RN. Visitation will be on Friday July 11, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Jones Funeral Home in Dixon, and from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Sandwich, IL. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 PM at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Sandwich. Burial will follow at Oakridge Cemetery in Sandwich. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Wellness House in Hinsdale, IL, https://wellnesshouse.org/donate; St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care in Milwaukee, https://stanncenter.org; or the Jerry Cebulski African Disability Foundation, http://africandisabilityfoundation.org Arrangements by the Jones Funeral Home in Dixon.

William Walter "Bill" Prendergast

November 17, 1947 - July 4, 2025