Due to an unforeseen illness in the family, the funeral service has been postponed to later in August. The visitation will be 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, August 25, 2023 at the St. Augustine Catholic Church. The Funeral Mass will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 26, 2023 at the church.
Joseph William (Bill) Maloney of Avon, IL, 93, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, July 31st attended by his wife and children. Bill was born in Murrayville, IL on February 10, 1930, to Joseph and Hazel Maloney, the middle child of three that included older sister Connie and younger sister Joanne. They lived on a small farm with no running water or electricity using horse-drawn farm equipment for most of Bill’s childhood. He attended the local elementary school and later Routt Catholic High School in Jacksonville, IL `where he met and later married Lois, his wife of 71 years. From 1952-1953, he served overseas in the Korean War building roads under combat conditions.
Soon after his discharge, he and Lois moved to Avon where he worked as a salesman at Neff Company, the local John Deere dealership. After several years, he became store manager and later, in 1973, purchased the dealership. At the same time, he enjoyed farming and soon acquired their first acreage, to which he added continuously. Over the years, Bill and Lois became strong supporters of community groups and events, especially the Avon Fat Steer Show and Cake Auction.
He had many interests including collecting antique tractors, butter churns and other items, traveling throughout the world with Lois, and raising camels. He enjoyed staging old farm shows, including a 4th of July extravaganza in 1976 at which more than 1000 people attended. He loved a good drink and a good joke. Many people have many stories about his fast driving, his impatience and his generosity. He was very focused but could also remember to enjoy fun things such as the time he suddenly decided to drive four hours to Milwaukee to watch a parade.
Bill had an active and creative imagination. When adding a large new room to his house, he wanted to replace the two steps leading down into the room with the world’s shortest escalator. He was very curious about life and God, often asking complete strangers for their opinions or views. He was a member of St. Augustine Church for 67 years and also the Knights of Columbus. He found great comfort in saying the rosary, especially as his health weakened. He led a big life, he was loved, and he will be missed.
Bill is survived by his wife Lois and his five children: Therese Van Voorn (Tom) of Columbia, MO; Ceci Maloney of Springfield, IL; Eric Maloney (Cilia) of Erie, IL; Vince Maloney (Kim) of Frankfort, IL; and Greg Maloney (Linda) of Chelan, WA. His ten grandchildren include Elizabeth Carter (Matt); Lindsay Baker; Joshua Maloney (Alex); Shannon Maloney; Abbey Maloney; Zachary Maloney; Riley Maloney; Sean J. Maloney; Sean C. Maloney; and Caitlin Maloney (Devin). His six great grandchildren are Rory Maloney; Kekoa Kuehl; Quinn Maloney; Olivia Carter; Hadley Carter; and Kailini Kuehl. Additionally, he is survived by his step-sister Sister Francis Mary, his brother-in-law Tony Cobb, sisters-in-law Dorothy Jane Keller, Betty Cobb and Helen Jones, a large number of nieces and nephews, and six camels. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, and brother-in-law.
Visitation services will be held on Friday, August 11th, from 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at the St. Augustine Catholic Church. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, August 12th at 11:00 a.m., also at the St. Augustine Catholic Church. Burial will follow the service at St. Augustine Catholic Cemetery. Memorial contributions will be shared with Avcom Park and the Avon Village Park. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Service Abingdon Chapel is proud to assist the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared, and complete obituary may be read at www.h-p-w.com.
