William Erving "Bill" Mester

William Erving "Bill" Mester, age 92, of Quincy, died on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 11:30 pm at the Illinois Veteran's Home.

Bill was born June 20, 1932, in Quincy, Illinois, a son of Erving T. and Mary L. Ransburg Mester. He married Jo Ann Kelker on January 26, 1957, in Quincy, Illinois. She survives.

He attended Emerson Grade School and graduated from Quincy High School in 1951. Bill attended Gem City Business College before being drafted into to the United States Army in 1953. After his service in the Army, Bill returned to Quincy and took lathing and plastering lessons from his father, who owned and operated E. Mester Plastering.

Bill was a 70-year member of Herman Lodge 39 AF&AM., Quincy Consistory, and the Ansar Shrine Temple. He served as an alderman for Quincy's 4th Ward from 1959 until 1963. Bill was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ and American Legion Post 37.

He loved spending time on the Mississippi River, and in his younger years loved water skiing with his friends and family. An avid hunter, Bill enjoyed duck, deer and turkey hunting.

Survivors, in addition to his wife, three nieces, Missy Mester of Canton, MO, Mary Ann Mester of Quincy, and Amber Turi of Lansing, IL; and three nephews, John (Kenya) Mester of Kansas City, MO, Lenny (Heather) Turi of Lawrence, KS, and Jordan (Kara) Mester of Quincy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Jennifer Ann Mester, a son, William "Ted"Mester, a brother, John (Rebecca) Mester, a sister, Barbara (Leonard) Turi.

Visitation: 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home, with Masonic Services at 6:00 pm conducted by Herman Lodge #39 A.F.&A.M.

Services: 10:00 am on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home, with Rev. Steve Disseler officiating.

Burial: Greenmount Cemetery, Quincy, Illinois with military honors conducted by American Legion Post 37 and the United State Army funeral honors detail.

Memorial donations may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children (St. Louis) or the Illinois Veterans Home Activities Fund. Memorial Donations may be made online at https://memorials.hansenspear.com

Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.