William C. "Bill" Jamison

1943 - 2016

William C. "Bill" Jamison, 72, of Plymouth, IN passed away following complications associated with a long illness at the Indiana University-University Hospital on March 9, 2016.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Cecil and Mary Virginia (Bockover) Jamison.

Born in Logansport, IN on September 26, 1943, Bill cherished the memories of his childhood home, Casa Loma, and the comradery shared there with his brothers and many cousins. It was during his youth in Logansport where Bill's life-long love of music, food, and cars began.

Bill graduated from Arlington High School (Arlington Heights, IL) in 1961 and Northern Illinois University (DeKalb, IL) in 1965. He was an avid musician throughout his high school and college years, lending his skills on the Hammond B3 organ to a number of bands, most notably the Ravons, the Missing Links, and Paul Bearer and the Morticians. Following college, Bill's dream was to own and operate a frozen custard stand similar to the Sycamore Drive-in from his childhood in Indiana, but was prevented from doing so by lack of capital. Instead, he put his degree to work and began his professional life as an educator, teaching high school Spanish in both Dundee and Carpentersville, IL. Bill left education to pursue a sales, and later regional manager, position with a company selling ice cream flavoring and toppings within the food service industry in the northern IL area.

Armed with industry knowledge, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a passion for frozen custard, Bill achieved his dream when he opened Ollie's Frozen Custard in the spring of 1985. Located in his alma mater's town of DeKalb, IL, Ollie's quickly became a popular venue for frozen custard enthusiasts. During Bill's time with Ollie's he oversaw the growth and development of the business, eventually needing to relocate to a larger building (and parking lot) in nearby Sycamore, IL.

Bill retired from the frozen custard business in 2001 and fulfilled another of his long-held dreams by returning to his home state of Indiana. After a long search, he found his "forever" home and settled in to enjoy the slower country life. In recent years Bill spent his days tooling around with local friends on cars, doting on his golden retriever Clancy, visiting with neighbors, and trying out new recipes in his kitchen.

Bill is survived by his many family and friends. Following his wishes, public notification of his death has been withheld and a private memorial and burial service has taken place.

Donations may be made in his name to WDCB Public Radio, Chicago's Home for Jazz!