Buddy Bill Heitz

DECATUR - Buddy Bill Heitz, 81, of Decatur, passed away at 10:30 p.m. Thursday, February 24, 2011 at St. Mary's Hospital. Funeral liturgy to celebrate Buddy's life will be 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 1, 2011 in the chapel of Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home with Father Joe Molloy officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Monday, February 28, 2011 at the funeral home. Interment will be in Point Pleasant Cemetery at Long Creek. Flowers will be appreciated but memorial contributions are suggested to the Cancer Care Specialist of Central Illinois. Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com. Buddy was born August 14, 1929 in Braidwood, Illinois, the son of Nellie M. (Culumber) and William J. Heitz. He was previously employed as a firefighter with the Decatur Fire Department. He retired as a Fire Captain in May of 1991after thirty-five years of service. He was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He married Alberta L. Clark September 11, 1948. She preceded him in death July 21, 2000. He leaves behind his daughter Janice Bright and husband Donald of Decatur, son Bill and wife Becky of Decatur, grandchildren Ben Smith and Michelle of Elgin, Stacey Macchi and husband David of Macomb, Trisha Brownlow and husband Garth of Chatham, Casie Spangler and husband Drew of Mt. Zion, and Dustin Heitz and wife Amanda of Decatur, and Clayton Heitz of Aurora, great-grandchildren Emma, Abbe, and Lile Brownlow and Carter and Maddy Spangler. He was reunited in Heaven with his parents, wife, and brother Bobby. The family would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Rademacher and Helen of Springfield Clinic and the entire staff at Cancer Care Specialist of Central Illinois especially nurse Karen and St. Mary's Hospital. Obituary written by family members. Online guest book at http://legacy.com/obituaries/herald-review/