Name: Visitation for William Blagg Sr.
Start: 2016-12-01T22:00:00.000Z
End: 2016-12-02T01:00:00.000Z
Location: Congdon & Company Funeral Directors Ltd - Zion

William E. "Bill" Blagg Sr., 88, of Winthrop Harbor, IL passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 20, 2016 at home with loving family by his side. He was born June 10, 1928 in Mitchellville, IA and moved to Pleasant Prairie, WI where he attended Dublin Elementary School. Bill was a graduate of Bradford High School in Kenosha where he met the love of his life, Marilyn Jean Richie. Bill married Marilyn on February 26, 1948 and resided in Kenosha until 1955 upon which time they moved to Winthrop Harbor where Bill built their first home and where he resided for 61 years. He attended night classes at the Milwaukee School of Engineering while working full time and raising a family of four with his wife. Bill was a volunteer firefighter with the Winthrop Harbor Fire Department for 29 years and served as Fire Chief from 1971 to 1974. He was a Charter Member of the Winthrop Harbor Lions Club where he was a Melvin Jones award recipient. He also served on the Planning Commission for North Point Marina. In 2011 he was awarded "Life Member" of the Loyal Order of The Moose of Zion for his 50 years of service. He owned and operated Blagg Heating and Sheet Metal for 31 years in Winthrop Harbor. Bill was the type of person who would see a "need" and "wanted" to help anyone and any cause. He was a self taught, masterfully skilled woodworker and loved building anything for anyone. His largest project to date was when he built a quarter mile nature trail in Winthrop Harbor for all families to enjoy. Winthrop Harbor officials held a special dedication honoring Bill and naming the trail "The William Blagg Nature Trail." Bill will be deeply loved and missed by his four children Shirley K. (William) Taft, William E. (Debra) Blagg Jr., Robert W. (Debra) Blagg Sr., and Lorri Waters; grandchildren Heather M. Taft, Tanya M. (James) McKnight, Teria L. Blagg, William E. (Kristin) Blagg III, William J. (Rachel) Taft, Robert W. Blagg Jr., Brandi J. Waters, and Lisa R. Blagg; eleven great-grandchildren, all of whom he deeply loved and adored; siblings Harold Blagg, Patricia Johnson, and Larry Blagg; along with a host of nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his loving wife Marilyn J. Blagg; infant daughter Mary; parents Mary and Charles "Ernie" Blagg; brothers Thomas E. Blagg Sr. and Darrell J. Blagg; and a nephew Thomas E. Blagg Jr. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 1, 2016, from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the CONGDON FUNERAL HOME, 3012 Sheridan Road, Zion, IL, followed by a memorial service at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorials to the Winthrop Harbor Fire Department would be appreciated in Bill's honor. Please sign the online guest book at congdonfuneralhome.com

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Published by News Sun from Nov. 24 to Nov. 29, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for William Blagg

5 Entries

December 3, 2016

My sincere sympathies to the Blagg Family. May God the Hearer of Prayer bring you peace and comfort during this difficult time-Isaiah 65:17

Sandy and Bob Berger

November 29, 2016

Our sincere condolences to the loss of a wonderful father, father-in-law, grandfather, great grandfather and a great friend to many. We hope soon the wonderful memories surround you to celebrate a life well-lived and a man well loved.

Sandra Berger

Sent Flowers

Prayers of comfort for the Blagg family

November 25, 2016

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
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