William “Pete” D. Peterson, 75 of rural Avon and formerly of Abingdon, passed away at 8:16 a.m. Saturday, February 27, 2021 at OSF St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg.
He was born- May 11, 1945 in Abingdon at the home of his parents Clyde K. and Hazel (Meyers) Peterson, Sr. He married Cathy Lagnese on February 28, 1965 and from this union there were four children born, Tiffani, Jodi, Jay, and Lyndi. They later divorced.
He then started a life with Ramona Sickles in June 1995. He gained two bonus daughters Trista and Adrienne. He is survived by his significant other of 26 years Ramona Sickles; his children Tiffani (Todd) Hamerlinck, Springfield, Jodi (Jim) Cooper, Libertyville, Lyndi (Mark Russell) Mallory, Pekin, Trista (Danelle) Person, Abingdon, and Adrienne (Dusty) Frakes, Avon; his grandchildren, Adam (Annie) Hamerlinck, Andrew, Alex, and Aidan Hamerlinck, Olivia Sims, Sydney Cooper, Trevor Baker, Tayven Person, Hailey Demery, Madi, Jojo, DJ Frakes, Trail, and Nana Person, two great-granddaughter on the way; his “significant mother-in-law”, Bev Reffett; his dogs Bandit and Karma; one brother, Donald Peterson, Monmouth; and numerous nieces and nephews. His family and his dogs meant everything to him.
He was preceded by his parents, his son, Jay, two brothers, Gale and Clyde Jr., two sisters, Nancy Courson and Sally Housh, a special nephew, Rory Courson, and a nephew, Todd Courson, and his two dogs, Nikki and Buster (his protector).
Bill was raised and educated in Abingdon, graduating from Abingdon High School in 1963. He attended Brown Business College. He owned and operated Peterson Electric. He had also worked at the Admiral Factory in Galesburg, and Briggs Manufacturing in Abingdon from 1963 until it closed in 2000. He was a volunteer fireman for Abingdon Fire Department for over 30 years and was the Fire Chief when he retired. He helped implement the First Responder program in the Abingdon District. His hobbies were his dogs, hunting, and cheering on the Green Bay Packers and the St. Louis Cardinals.
Funeral service will be held at Noon Thursday, March 4, 2021 at the Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Abingdon Chapel. His grandson, Adam, will officiate. Burial will be in the Abingdon Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday at the chapel. Due to guidelines associated with the Covid-19 Pandemic, social distancing and facemasks will be required with limited occupancy for the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Abingdon Fire Department or the Knox County Humane Society. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
