William E. Castor Jr.

William E. Castor, Jr. (Bill) 1932 - 2021
Springfield, IL—William E. Castor, Jr. (Bill), 88, of Springfield, passed away on Friday, March 5, 2021, in his home surrounded by his children.
Bill was born October 30, 1932, in Springfield to William E. Castor, Sr. and Kathryn L. Melton. He met his wife, Carol Jean Welch, in 1957, and they married on September 7th of that year. She preceded him in death in 2014.
Bill attended Cathedral Boys High School and Kemper Military Academy. He served in the Army during the Korean Conflict. Bill and Carol raised their family in the Blessed Sacrament Parish. Bill was employed by Castor's Food Stores and raised and showed cattle and horses at the Honeywell Ranch. He later worked as a Realtor and at the Vocational Center. Bill was a boating enthusiast, a member of the Land of Lincoln Power Squadron, and a member of the Springfield Motor Boat Club for over 60 years.
The epitome of a family man, Bill chose to spend his free time surrounded by his five children, the many friends they brought home, and his devoted wife. He often announced his arrival home by honking "shave and a haircut" as he pulled up the driveway. Bill had a wicked sense of humor. He enjoyed teasing his wife and was an occasional prankster, much to the delight of his children and grandchildren. His many "grandpa-isms" and playing games with his grandchildren will undoubtedly be passed on as part of his legacy.
Bill was a hard worker all his life and passed this on to his children, along with many interests like water sports, ice skating, snow skiing, camping, and hiking. Bill taught his children there is value in doing a job well and to take pride in one's work. Many of his grandchildren had their first job working in his rental business. They learned skills like drywalling, painting, repairing appliances, and how to use "elbow grease." Mowing was always their first lesson, and they learned it with precision using the "Mayflower," a mower so old the children figured it came over with the pilgrims.
A devout Catholic his entire life, Sundays were about church, family, and waffles. Bill would blast John Phillips Sousa or Mario Lanza from the living room stereo to get his children out of bed for church. He was an usher at Blessed Sacrament for decades, which his children now believe was a well-played strategy to avoid their bad behavior in a church pew. As teenagers, the children were required to produce a church bulletin as proof of attending mass.
Bill was always there for his children, like it or not. He was a big believer in curfew, rules, and keeping one's word. Being home by curfew meant being inside the house without one's date. Bill would be sitting in the front room with his watch out keeping an eye on the time. Grounding was rare. Punishment was more often manual labor, regardless of gender.
Bill was not a fan of large social gatherings. He once jested, "Put my obituary in the newspaper the day after the funeral."
He was also preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Kathryn R. Houk.
Surviving him are his children, Karen C. Starling, Barbara A. (Doug) Mitchell, William E. (Linda) Castor, III, Christina M. (Dave) Nation, and Beth Young; grandchildren, Ben, Tara, and Claire Starling, Jacob and Julia Mitchell, David Castor, Jessica Souther, Christopher and Nick Nation, Cassie Nation McKennedy, Bri Nation Goff, Coco Rivera, and Mick and Matthew Young; and 14 great-grandchildren, who are all grateful for sharing their lives with such a kind, generous, and loving man.
You may honor Bill's memory by honking "shave and a haircut" in your car when you think of him.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 12, 2021, at Blessed Sacrament Church, 1725 South Walnut, Springfield with Rev. Jeff Grant, celebrant. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be limited capacity. A private family burial will follow.
Memorial contributions may be made to Blessed Sacrament Parish, 1725 S. Walnut St., Springfield IL 62704 or Springfield Motor Boat Club, 17 Club Area, Springfield, IL 62712.
The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL.
Please visit butlerfuneralhomes.com to offer your condolences.