William Henry Whippler

CHERRY VALLEY - William Henry Whippler, age 96, of Cherry Valley passed away peacefully Saturday August 22, 2020. Born in Rockford on August 27, 1923 to Prosper "Todd" and Adeline Whippler (Fick).

Bill grew up with his two siblings on a farm in Machesney Park. A favorite childhood memory was when his mother planned a birthday party for him when he was around 11 years old, but canceled it when she found him smoking behind the barn! When Bill was a child, he also liked to jump on trains that were going slowly to fish with his grandfather.

Bill enlisted in the Navy on September 2, 1942. He started out on a blimp, which flew over the coast of California to keep watch for enemy subs. He then was transferred to sea duty in Hawaii in 1944 and served as gunner on the U.S.S. Steamer Bay in WWII in the South Pacific. The ship crossed the equator and the international date line at the same time, which was a very rare occurrence. At one point their ship was near Japan when a Kamikaze airplane sunk another ship that had just switched positions with his ship on January 4, 1945.

Bill married Helen Seff when he was 19 and she was 17. They were married for 75 years and blessed with 6 daughters and now have 16 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and 11 great great grandchildren. He enjoyed spoiling his daughters and called them his "princesses". Bill began his work career at Cropp Steel in Rockford and later owned his own business with his brother. Their business was called"Whippler Brothers" then changed later to "Weather Wise Roofing". Along with roofing, Bill also put in swimming pools and later in life was a maintenance man for St. Edward Church and School.

Fishing, gardening, listening to music, dancing and playing Euchre & Poker were among his favorite hobbies. He also enjoyed being a member of the Knights of Columbus, VFW, American Legion, Elida Club and Baltic Lodge. He volunteered for all of these clubs plus was an usher at church and sang in the choir. He always enjoyed helping others.

He is survived by daughters, Sandra (Jim) Clark, Karen (late Ron) Stepanek, Linda (late Steve) Woodrow-Mertz, Patricia (Rory) Harrington, Lisa (Denny) Shaw and Teresa (Tom) White; grandchildren, Susan (Mike), Julie (Dave), Michael (Angela), Kathy (Don), Lecia (Scott), Terri (Steve), Curtis (Christine), Tina (Mike), Tom, Tamara, Jarrick (Judy), Lisa (Shawn), Anna (Adam), Chelsea (Oskar), David and Brandon (Laura); 33 great grandchildren; 11 great great grandchildren; and numerous nieces & nephews. He is predeceased by his beloved wife of 75 years, Helen Marie Whippler (Seff); his parents; brother, Prosper (Joyce) Whippler; and sister, Marjorie (Seal) Meligan.

Mass of Christian Burial held Friday August 28, 2020 at 10:30 AM at St. Bridget Catholic Church, 600 Clifford Avenue, Loves Park, with visitation from 9:30 AM until the time of Mass at 10:30 AM. Interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Machesney Park. Friends may visit with the family on Thursday August 27, 2020 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the Christenson Funeral Home, 925 3rd Avenue, Rockford. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Miss Carly's, 1125 5 ^th Ave, Rockford, IL.

www.rockfordfunerals.com