William “Bill” S. Totten, 93, of Alexis, Illinois, passed away at 12:15 a.m., Monday, October 2, 2023 at the Richard Owens Hospice House, Peoria, IL.
He was born on March 27, 1930 in Alexis, Illinois to Sherman A. Totten and Marie Anna Blair. He was raised and educated in Alexis where he graduated in 1948.
After high school, William briefly studied at Western Illinois University before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force to serve in the Korean War. He was discharged in 1953 as an Airman 1st class.
William married Carol M. Sallee on May 28, 1955 at Coldbrook Christian Church and she passed away December 19, 2019.
He worked for the U.S. postal service for 39 years before retiring as a postmaster in 1992. During his free time, William enjoyed taking vacations with his family to Canada along with other western U.S. locations. He was an outdoorsman—he liked to go hunting, trapping and fishing when the time would allow. He also enjoyed playing sandlot baseball.
William was an active member of his community. He was the Elder, Treasurer, and Clerk of the Session for Alexis United Presbyterian Church. He was a life member of the Alexis American Legion Post #189. Bill served on the Warren County Library Board as well as the board with the YMCA. He was a long serving member of his local Lions Club, and the Masonic Lodge. Bill was a Scout Master for the Alexis Boy Scouts. He served on the NNGA (Northern Nut Growers Association) due to working with Hickory and pecan trees. He was especially proud of the Northern Pecan Tree (Hark) he produced. Bill was also a member of the Illinois Postmaster board and the National Association of Postmasters for 39 years.
William is survived by three sons; Matthew Totten, John Totten both of Galesburg, IL, and Timothy (Mary) Totten of Chillicothe, IL; two grandsons, Zachary (Kimmie) Totten of Shakopee, MN and Roman (Kayla) Totten of Cedarville, IL; two granddaughters, Erin (Matt) Totten-Jones of Bartonville, IL and Mandy Totten of Chillicothe, IL; five great-grandsons; and one sister, Connie Kremer of DeWitt, IA.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Carol; two sisters, Shirley Mueller and Beverly Tingley.
Memorial services will be at 3:00 p.m., Friday, October 6, 2023 at the Alexis Presbyterian Church, Alexis, IL. Visitation will be prior to the service from 1:30-3:00 p.m. at the church. A private family interment with military honors will be in Alexis Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Alexis American Legion Post 189. McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, IL is in charge of the arrangements. For more information or to leave an online condolence please visit, www.mcguireanddaviesfuneralhome.com.
