William "Bill" Powell Halstead

William “Bill” Powell Halstead, 88, of East Peoria, died at 2:17 PM Thursday, August 26, 2010 at his home while under Hospice care. Born on March 13, 1922 in Peoria, IL to Harry H. and Hannah M. Donnelly Halstead, he married Cecelia R. Kemp on May 21, 1949 in Peoria, IL. She preceded him in death on October 30, 1985 in Peoria. Surviving are 4 daughters, Mary Jane (Michael) Watts of Yates City, IL, Kathleen (Ronald) Maloney of Peoria, Annette (Dale) Messmore of East Peoria, Sandra Halstead (John Ferguson) of Grandview, WA, and his son-in-law, David Stamerjohn of Edelstein, IL; 10 grandchildren, Melinda (James) Watts-Ellis, Jeffrey (Jo-Anne) Stamerjohn, Robert (Jennifer) Watts, Julia (Aaron) Graham, Karen (Christopher) Hallowell, Kevin Maloney, Brian Messmore(Allison Teykl) Rebecca Maloney, Sharon Messmore, and Colleen Maloney; and 10 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Janet Stamerjohn, 2 brothers, Harry Halstead and Robert Halstead, and 1 sister, Mary Scott. Bill was a proud graduate of Woodruff High School’s Class of 1940. Following graduation, Bill served in the US Army during World War II where he attained the rank of Corporal. As part of the Medical Corps from 1942-1946, he was a technician in the dental lab in both England and France. In France, he also was honored to serve as an escort to Bob Hope. He also played softball on the hospital team called the “Knock-Out Drops,” which played teams throughout Europe. Bill was a US Letter Carrier for 39 years in East Peoria and Peoria before his retirement in 1984. He was a loving and dedicated father who was often found at his daughters’ and grandchildren’s activities. He was a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers and National Association of Retired Federal Employees. Bill kept active by playing in the 8-ball League and Euchre at Fondulac Park District. He also enjoyed playing baseball, basketball, horseshoes and golf in many Peoria Area leagues, and participating in the Senior Olympics. He enjoyed the outdoors and family camping vacations to various National Parks throughout the country. Dancing became a joy in his life, from teaching dance lessons at Riverview, to square dancing, to enjoying ballroom dance at the Itoo Club, Fondulac Park District, American Legion in East Peoria, Miller Center in Pekin, Hopedale Medical Complex and in Bloomington. In his later years, he was often seen with his special friends and dance partners, Elsie Thompson and Helen Bright. A Memorial Celebration of Bill’s Life will be held at 10 AM on Monday, August 30 at Deiters Funeral Home & Crematory in East Peoria. The Rev. Dr. David Stamerjohn will officiate. Services will conclude with the accordance of military rites at the funeral home. Visitation will be held from 2-4 pm on Sunday, August 29 at the funeral home in East Peoria. Following visitation, there will be a free dance at the Fondulac Administration Building to celebrate Bill’s life from 6-8PM on Sunday, featuring Wilanna Vogel and the Nostalgics. Cremation rites will be accorded, and inurnment will be at a later date at Fondulac Cemetery in East Peoria.

William "Bill" Powell Halstead

March 13, 1922 - August 26, 2010