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William Sulaski

1939 - 2025

William Sulaski obituary, 1939-2025, Oak Brook, IL

BORN

1939

DIED

2025

FUNERAL HOME

Russo's Hillside Chapels

4500 Roosevelt Road

Hillside, Illinois

UPCOMING SERVICE

Celebration Of Life

Sep. 19, 2025

3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Bloomington Country Club

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William Sulaski Obituary

William D. Sulaski, 85, of Oak Brook, Illinois, passed away suddenly but peacefully on August 12th after a long and robust life. He leaves an enormous legacy of family, friends, and clients who treasured his generous spirit.

He was preceded in death earlier this year by his beloved wife of 63 years, Susan Sulaski, with whom he raised his four surviving children: Jennifer Vece of McCaysville, GA; Timothy Sulaski of Normal, IL; David Sulaski of Alys Beach, FL; and Daniel Sulaski (Leigh) of Oak Brook, IL. Bill is also survived by his five grandchildren: Noah Vece of New York, NY; Gabe Vece of Richmond, VA; Aaron Vece of Atlanta, GA; Benjamin Sulaski of Washington, D.C; and Jacob Sulaski of Chicago, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Wilma Sulaski of Peoria, IL. and his older brother Robert (Barbara) Sulaski, of Edwards, IL. He is survived by his brothers Ronald (Barb) Sulaski of Brimfield, IL. and Gary (Diana) Sulaski, Findlay, IL.

Bill was born in Peoria in 1939 and met his wife Susan while both attending Bradley University, where he received a Masters in Accounting. They would later move to Bloomington where he would raise his family and begin a 50-year professional, civic, and volunteer career. He was the founding partner of Sulaski & Webb CPAs.

He was tirelessly active in his community, serving as President of Bloomington-Normal Jaycees, President of McLean County Chamber of Commerce, and President of McLean County Center for Human Services. He also served as Treasurer for many local and federal political campaigns including U.S. Congressmen Tom Ewing and Edward Madigan.

He also spent 20 years in Higher Education which included a term on the Illinois Board of Regents, and 10 years as Trustee and Chairman of Illinois State University, through the terms of four University Presidents. He and Susan were devout ISU Redbird fans, even if his heart truly belonged, perhaps in vain, to the Chicago Cubs.

Bill received too many accolades and honors to mention, but three of his most treasured were the Illinois CPA Society's Public Service Award, the WJBC Don Munson Spirit of McLean County Award, and the WGLT Hall of Fame. Above all, however, he cherished being the best dad and grandpa, and his lifelong friendship with a group of Bloomington-Normal gentlemen called The Yo Yo's.

Later in life, Bill and Susan would relocate north to thrive in the wonderful community of The Sheridan at Oak Brook, where he will be fondly remembered by his many friends there as its first Mayor.

He enjoyed travel, musical theatre, reading, watching sports of all kinds, and playing golf literally until the day he died. Some of his fondest memories were walking the pure white sandy beaches at his condo in Orange Beach, AL, where his ashes will be lovingly spread in his memory.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, September 19th at Bloomington Country Club, 605 Towanda Ave.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to WGLT Radio or The Sheridan Employee Holiday Fund here: https://everloved.com/life-of/william-bill-sulaski/.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Pantagraph on Aug. 17, 2025.

Memorial Events
for William Sulaski

Sep

19

Celebration of Life

3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Bloomington Country Club

605 Towanda Ave, IL

Funeral services provided by:

Russo's Hillside Chapels

4500 Roosevelt Road, Hillside, IL 60162

Memories and Condolences
for William Sulaski

Sponsored by Russo's Hillside Chapels.

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4 Entries

jaime flores

Earlier today

Served alongside Bill as a fellow Board of Trustee at Illinois State University for ten years. Bill become our chairman. Over that time, we became friends, often seeing each other at ISU events. His leadership on the inaugural board paved the way for ISU´s growth into the outstanding public university it is today. Rest in peace, Mr. Chairman.

Sharon Tavana

Earlier today

I listened to Charlie Schlenker's story about Bill on WGLT and found it such an accurate description of the person I knew. This fellow Bradley grad was not as important as the people who commented in that story, but Bill provided me with the same mentorship, counsel and friendship as he did a university president, CEO or congressman. He was a serious man who loved to have fun. He was a busy man who could always make time. He was a community leader whose priority was always his family and dear friends. May his memory be a blessing.

Lyn Edwards

Earlier today

36 years ago Jack and I sat in Bill's conference room as our 2 year old daughter played on his floor and we developed a plan to open our business. I still work with those notes. He didn't do our taxes but every year reviewed what I did and we would talk about life and he would always say "well done" I valued his opinion on taxes, business and more importantly - LIFE. He loved his wife, children and grandchildren and talked about them with such care. He was a great man and when he retired and moved north I truly missed him and his console. He impacted my life in ways he probably never knew. What a wonderful man! Lyn and Jack Edwards

Robert E Handley

August 17, 2025

To William´s family please accept my sincerest condolences. Bill was not only a close friend, but a mentor in my life. In my early days of business he gave me great advice and guidance. I photographed him often.

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