William Phillips Obituary

William Phillips
Born: October 20, 1957
Died: January 27, 2025
William Ray Phillips, 67, of Sycamore, Illinois passed away peacefully on January 27, 2025 with his sisters by his side at his childhood home in Hinckley, Illinois. He was born on October 20, 1957, in Sandwich, Illinois, the son of Wayne and Leona (Dienst) Phillips.
When he was a young boy, he spent a brief time at the Illinois Braille and Sight Saving School in Jacksonville, Illinois. He then attended Valley Haven for the Exceptional in Oswego, Illinois, until rounding out his education at Notre Dame (a school of the DeKalb County Special Education Association) in DeKalb, Illinois. He graduated in June 1979. Later that year, he became a resident of Opportunity House which became his home for the next 46 years. During that time, he attended their Day Program, Monday through Friday, which he thoroughly enjoyed.
While at Notre Dame, Bill met Diane Chesser, a classmate, and they became good friends. Their relationship has lasted over 50 years.
Growing up Bill enjoyed going on family vacations, riding his bicycle, listening to country music, swimming, riding ponies with his sisters and one of his most favorite things to do… "moving" snow. He also loved tractor and semi rides during harvest. In his later years, his most favorite thing to do was to go to McDonald's for coffee and chocolate chip cookies.
Bill is survived by his sisters, Barbara (Stephen) Sanders and Beverly (Roger) Larson both of Hinckley, Illinois. He was the proudest uncle to Nick Sanders of Seattle, Washington, Carolyn (Erik) Wass of Sugar Grove, Illinois, Tony Sanders of Nashville, Tennessee, Tom Sanders of Denver, Colorado and Jolee Larson of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was also a proud great uncle to Tucker and Tanner Wass of Sugar Grove, Illinois.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Leona Phillips.
Thank you to Opportunity House for their many years of caring for Bill and, most recently, Compassus Hospice.
A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at the Nash-Nelson Memorial Chapel, 141 N. Maple Street, Hinckley, IL. Interment will follow in Oak Mound Cemetery in Somonauk, IL. Friends and family are all welcome.
They may visit from 12:00 PM until the Hour of Service on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at the Nash-Nelson Memorial Chapel in Hinckley, IL.
Arrangements made by Nelson Funeral Home & Crematory, www.NelsonFuneralHomes.com, (815) 286-3247.