Bill Choate Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Bill Choate, 78, a resident of rural Ozark, Illinois, passed away Saturday afternoon at 2:55 PM at Herrin Hospital. Bill was born July 2, 1941 in New Burnside, Illinois. He was the eldest of two sons born to Lowell Herbert “Toe” Choate and Beulah Mae (Wall) Choate. On July 21, 1961, Bill was united in marriage to Donna Jean Simmons at Stonefort, Illinois. Donna preceded him in death on July 18, 2017. Survivors include: 2 daughters – Kristi Raben of Evansville, Indiana and Kara Rash of Ozark; 4 grandchildren – Jared, Andrew, and Kelsi Raben and Baylee (Shawn) Penrod; 5 great grandchildren – Kennedee, Kayden, Annie, Ellie and Adam; a brother & sister-in-law – Bob (Linda) Choate of Boaz, Kentucky; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends. In addition to his parents and wife, Bill was preceded in death by a son – Scott Eric Choate. Bill was a 1959 graduate of Vienna High School. Bill joined the International Union of Operating Engineers (I.U.O.E.) local # 318 in 1960. He worked as an operating engineer throughout his career until his retirement in 2003. For 10 years, Bill was employed at Burning Star Mine # 5 near DeSoto as a dozer operator. Bill served on the IUOE Local # 318 Executive Board as well as serving as local treasurer for a time. Bill was very community minded. He loved people and was always willing to lend a helping hand whenever it was needed. Bill served for over 26 years as a member of the Burnside Water District board and has served as chairman for 14 years, a position he held at the time of his passing. Additionally, Bill served as a member of the New Simpson Hill School Board for 8 years. He was also a former member of the Wise-Robinson Cemetery board. Bill was a member of the Stonefort General Baptist Church. Bill is remembered for his love of restoring and trading tractors and trucks. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed spending time in the woods. Bill enjoyed hunting ginseng and had also raised bird dogs and enjoyed quail hunting. Bill was also an avid St. Louis Cardinal’s baseball fan. Bill loved to visit with his friends. He was a proud member of the “Ozark University.” Bill is fondly remembered for his love of family and his generous and giving nature. He was a father figure to many and had frequent front porch sessions providing his wisdom and advice. A celebration of the life of Bill Choate will be held Wednesday morning, October 2, 2019, at 11 AM at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Pastor Jeff Owens will officiate. Burial will be in the Wise-Robinson Cemetery north of Ozark. Visitation will be conducted Tuesday, October 1, 2019, from 3 PM – 8 PM at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Memorials may be made to the Heather Harper Treat Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 98, Vienna, IL 62995 or to the Wise-Robinson Cemetery, c/o Rhonda O’Neil, 1255 Ozark Road, Ozark, IL 62972.

Bill Choate

July 2, 1941 - September 28, 2019

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