William F. “Bill” Percival, 83, of Effingham, Illinois, died Wednesday, November 30, 2022, accompanied by his family at Lakeland Rehabilitation Health Care Center in Effingham.
Who Exactly is William F. “Bill”?
Bill Percival was born in Effingham, Illinois, on January 17, 1939, to Olen and Lucille (Webb) Percival. On December 1, 1957, he married Doris James in Watson Township. Bill was an ardent Christian. He worked as a driver and supervisor for ARC for many years at Menard’s. He attended Funkhouser United Methodist Church in addition to being a Gideon. He enjoyed attending vintage tractor events. He was a member of the County Line Sodbusters. Bill loved creating things out of wood. His two favourite activities were reading and making unique items in his wood shop. Bill never met a stranger and treasured his time with his friends and family.
William F. “Bill” Career Path:
When his mentor, William F. “Bill” Oxford, allowed him to join a Royal Geographical Society and London Alpine Club trip to the Nepal Himalayas in 1950, partly as a climber and partially to examine land usage and soil erosion, his budding career as a biogeographer was put on hold. H. W. Tilman, the expedition’s commander, praised his climbing ability when he noted that Bill only fell short of the expedition’s principal target, the 7,525-meter-tall Annapurna IV when he ran out of partners. This accomplishment, however, was overshadowed when he contracted poliomyelitis while working in Nepal’s lowlands.
Although Bill’s PhD was revoked due to his lengthy rehabilitation in England, his following lectureships at University College, London, and the University of Canterbury, where he was known for his interaction with undergraduates, show that his academic career was not severely harmed. His engagement in land protection was not limited, as evidenced by his founding membership on the Mount Cook National Park Board from 1955 to 1960.
The Cause of Death:
William F. “Bill” Percival, 83, of Effingham, Illinois, died Wednesday, November 30, 2022, accompanied by his family at Lakeland Rehabilitation Health Care Center in Effingham. Doris Percival of Effingham. His sons, Fred (Tonna) Percival and Darren (Heather) Percival, both of rural Effingham, his granddaughter, Mindy (Kris) McClelland of rural Mason, his grandson, Chad (significant other, Rylee Case) Percival of rural Effingham, his great-granddaughter, Ivy, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins survive. His parents, Olen and Lucille Percival, his sister Betty (Percival) Ruffner, Lee and Nellie James, and his mother-in-law predeceased him.
Personal Details:
Bill is left behind by his wife, Doris Percival of Effingham; youngest son, Fred (Tonna) Percival of rural Effingham but also Darren (Heather) Percival of remote Effingham; granddaughter, Mindy (Kris) McClelland of remote Mason; grandson, Chad (significant other, Rylee Case) Percival of rural Effingham; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. His parents, Olen and Lucille Percival, his sister, Betty (Percival) Ruffner, and his father and mother-in-law, Lee and Nellie James predeceased him.
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