Dr. William "Bill" Cusack

Bill passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, August 11, 2024. He was born March 31st, 1946, the 10th of 11 children born to Vera Leary Cusack and Patrick (Doc) Aloysius Cusack. He is survived by Kim Cusack, his wife of 38 years, and by his three children and five grandchildren, Dr. Mike (Dr. Kate) Cusack (Elliott and Heath), Ryan Cusack (Liam, Grant and Maren) and Dr. Kelly Cusack. His brothers: Jim, Tom, Jack, Dan and sisters Susie Helms and Dolores Murphy survive. Brothers Pat, Jerry, Mike, and Bob preceded him in death.
Bill attended Spalding Institute in Peoria, Illinois; followed by Loyola University where he completed his undergraduate degree in 1968. He attended the University of Illinois Dental School in Chicago while concurrently driving a Chicago taxi to support himself. He graduated dental school in 1972 and then practiced general dentistry for five years, before going to a periodontal residency at the University of Illinois College of Dentistry. He returned to Peoria where he practiced dentistry and periodontics for a total of 51 years.
Bill was passionate about life and getting older didn't slow him down. He was always pursuing a new hobby, learning a new skill, or driving an army truck, bulldozer, motorcycle, boat, scooter, or Caterpillar tractor. He loved to water ski, fly airplanes, go fishing and deer hunting, and sing karaoke with his family and friends. He also was like MacGyver, whether it be fixing things in the dental office or using the dental drill to work on motorcycle parts. He was a self-proclaimed "collector" not a hoarder. He loved to stay active and ran every morning. He was a two-time prostate cancer survivor with his latest fight in 2023.
Bill loved his family and was a kind and compassionate spouse, father, and grandfather. He particularly loved sharing his hobbies with his family. He had a wide and varied circle of friends who knew that they could count on Bill for support, advice, or a good barbecue party cooked on one of his custom cooker grills from his business Peoria Cookers. He was quite the practical jokester, where his friends, family, and patients were the recipients of some of his practical jokes.
Bill was a dedicated and talented Periodontist. He always stayed at the cutting edge of dentistry and was passionate about providing exceptional care to his patients. He would come into the office at any time to help a patient in need. His warm-hearted nature was contagious. His patients adored him, and his staff loved working with him. He fostered an environment at his office where they were not only an office but a family who looked out and took care of each other. He shared his joy in dentistry by teaching dental hygienists at Illinois Central College for over 40 years. He also taught at SIU School of Dental Medicine in the Departments of Periodontics and the Implant Fellowship Programs. He was instrumental in changing the Dental Hygiene Practice Laws. He presented many dental lectures for dentists, hygienists, and assistants in the community. He served as the President of the Peoria Dental Society and was a role model for many aspiring dentists.
His humor, passion, love, and big caring heart will be deeply missed.
As he always said "Stick with me, and you'll go places!" and "Let the good times roll!".
Visitation will be held on Friday August 16, 2024 from 4 pm to 8 pm at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Peoria Heights, IL; and Saturday, August 17, 2024 from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 10:30 am at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Peoria Heights. Msgr. Jason Gray will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Kickapoo, IL. Services will be lived streamed on www.wrightandsalmon.com.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society or Donor's Choice.
Funeral arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Wright & Salmon Mortuary. (309-688-4441)