William Morgan Vann Jr.

1925 - 2014

William "Bill" Morgan Vann, Jr.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - William "Bill" Morgan Vann, Jr., 89, of Springfield died peacefully at St. John's Hospice at midnight on November 13, 2014, with family at his side.

Bill was born August 16, 1925, in Dallas, Texas and was raised during the Depression in Kansas City, MO by his courageous mother, Annie Thornton Vann. An exemplary member of the Greatest Generation, he enlisted in the Navy the day he turned 17 (with his mother's reluctant approval) and fought in the Pacific Theater on the USS Saratoga as a gunner's mate and later on the USS Invade during World War II. After the war he worked for General Mills in Kansas City and then transferred to Springfield where he met and later married Theresa Anne Jones on April 15, 1950, at Blessed Sacrament Church. After they married, Bill went to work for the United States Post Office where he began as a mail sorter and retired as an auditor in 1980. While raising his growing family, he often worked two and three jobs to selflessly give them all of the security he never knew as a child. He later worked for the State Journal-Register in the circulation department and spent many years as a volunteer at St. Agnes Grade School. Retirement allowed him to enjoy his favorite career as a grandfather and most recently as a great-grandfather!

Bill was devoted to his bride of over 62 years, and deeply loved all of his immediate and extended family, his St. Agnes Parish family, and his neighbors on South Douglas and South Glenwood before that. He helped everyone he ever knew without hesitation and doted on his wife as his greatest life mission. Bill was a self-taught carpenter and treasured the home he kept for his family. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and passed that passion for baseball on to his children and grandchildren. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Disabled American Veterans.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Theresa J. Vann in 2012; his parents, Annie Thornton Vann and Willie M. Vann; an infant brother, John Calvin "JC"; sisters, Nannie Castleberry Trim and Fannie Mae (Frankie) Tucker Burke; brother, Ed Vann; and his beloved wife, Sharon.

Bill is survived by his six children: Bishop Kevin Vann of Orange County, CA, Dennis (wife, Claudia) of St. Paul, MN, Les (wife, Shannon) of Indianapolis, IN, Gerry (husband, David Pearson) of Boston, MA, Mary Therese (MT) of Springfield, IL, and Dave of San Francisco, CA. He is also survived by his loving grandchildren: Kyle Vann of Normal, IL, John Vann (wife, Dawn) of Asheville, NC, William Vann and Barrett Vann of St. Paul, MN; and great-granddaughter, Violet Vann of Asheville, NC. He is also survived by generations of nieces and nephews who adored their Uncle Bill.

Visitation: Family will greet friends and relatives at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 245 N. Amos Ave., Springfield, on Friday, November 14, 2014, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Visitation will begin with a prayer service at 4:00 p.m.

Please note that the visitation and Funeral Mass will be held at different churches.

Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 1725 South Walnut St., Springfield with Bishop Kevin Vann, celebrant. Burial will immediately follow at Calvary Cemetery with military honors performed by the Department of Defense.

Memorial contributions to honor Bill and Theresa's legacy may be made to: Theresa Vann Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of Friends of St. John's Hospital, 800 E. Carpenter St., Springfield, IL 62769.

The family of William (Bill) Morgan Vann, Jr. is being served by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.

Please visit butlerfuneralhomes.com to offer your condolences.