William "Bill" Harvey Dean

William “Bill” Harvey Dean, 94 of Arthur, IL passed away at 8:50 PM on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at The Arthur Home.

A Celebration of Bill’s life will be held at a later date.  The Edwards Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.  Burial will be held in the Winneconne Village Cemetery in Winneconne, WI.

Bill was born on February 27, 1930 in Arthur, IL, the youngest son of William Harvey and Olive Jane “Ollie” (Trower) Dean.  He married Cinnie May Everett on July 24, 1956.  She passed away in 2002. He later married Beverly Goetz Lacy on January 11, 2003.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly Dean of Arthur, IL, daughter, Rosetta Dean of Winneconne, WI, stepdaughters, Mary Ellen Everett Klingman and her husband Sid of Indianapolis, IN, Debbie Howell and her husband Steve of Arthur, IL, and Kathy Russell and her husband Randy of Gresham, OR, as well as many grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Cinnie Mae, son, Larry Dean, stepchildren, John Everett, Gayle Everett and Margorie Everett Jones, and three siblings, Fred L. Dean, Bernice Dean Dowell and Charles W. Dean.

Bill graduated from Arthur High School in 1949.  He is an Air Force Veteran. After being discharged from the Military he graduated from the University of Illinois.

Bill was co-owner and operator of Dean Brother’s Trucking in Arthur for many years. He later accepted a position with the Boy Scouts of America and moved to Wisconsin.  After he retired, he went to work for the State of Wisconsin as a bridge tender.   

He always attended church in Wisconsin and most recently he was a member of the Vine Street Christian Church in Arthur, IL.  

Bill was a die hard Green Bay Packer fan and enjoyed playing games, hearts, cribbage and dominoes being his favorites.  He played many games of Rumi cube with fellow residents at Eberhardt Assisted living.

He also loved to travel, especially when he could drive.  He and his wife drove all over the United States, seeing new places and visiting family, but also went on bus trips to Mexico, Alaska, and flew to the Holy Land.

Bill was a generous man and incorporated his love of driving to help others as he often volunteered to drive people to appointments.  He was always ready to help anyone in need.

Being a colorful soul, Bill loved to tell stories of the funny things that happened to him as a younger man and kept everyone laughing and guessing if it really happened.  It didn’t really matter, because there was truth and joy in the telling.

Memorials may be made to the Vine Street Christian Church or the local Boy Scouts.