William Henry Zimmerman

William Henry Zimmerman, of West Chicago, IL, passed away on March 12, 2025 after a brief illness. Willliam (Bill) was born on May 28, 1930 to John Kasper Zimmerman and Mary Aline Brannick in Joliet, IL. After graduating from St. Ignatius High School, Bill went on to study Business at Loyola University in Chicago. It was at Loyola where he met his forever love, Adelaide (Adele) Bolger. On May 2, 1953, after graduation, Bill and Adele wed just before he was drafted into the Army. Bill spent two years in the Army during the Korean War at Ft Campbell in Kentucky. He returned to Chicagoland and began his 49 year career as an accountant at Sears Roebuck, beginning on the west side of Chicago and finishing his career in the Sears Tower in downtown Chicago. Upon retirement from Sears, he continued being active by teaching accounting at College of DuPage, the local community college. Bill and Adele went on to have 12 children, 22 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Forever the student, Bill continued his education and received a Masters in Business from Loyola University, a Masters in Accounting from DePaul University, his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation, and his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation.Bill was a force of nature, determined to provide for his family and give them the life they deserved. Bill’s family meant more to him than anything else in the world, something he often mentioned. “We could have been rich with money or rich with children. We chose children” Dad had been known to say. Bill took great joy in his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and was unendingly proud of each of them. Bill was also a passionate traveler, going to exotic places with Adele during their retirement and later, after her passing, with his sister Mary Kate or with several of his children. He visited Japan, Greenland, the South Pole (to see penguins no less), Cuba, Italy, Sicily, just to name a few. He also enjoyed travelling to visit family members spread across this country. He continued travelling up until just before his passing. Bill was preceded in death by his loving wife Adelaide, two infant daughters Lucy and Cecilia, his granddaughter Deirdre Anne, and his brother Jack. Bill is survived by his sister Mary Kate (Michael who has passed) Hermann, and his children Mark (Rae) Zimmerman, Martin (Barbara) Zimmerman, Margaret (Neil who has passed) Sorensen, Kathryn (Francis who has passed) Kozlowski, Joseph (Mary) Zimmerman, Julia (Arnold who has passed) Fredricks, Francis (Charlotte) Zimmerman, Walter (Christine) Zimmerman, Peter (Kristin) Zimmerman, Kenneth (Sara) Zimmerman. He is also survived by his grandchildren Nicholas (Janet) Zimmerman, Anthony (Jasmine) Zimmerman, Heather Brozo, John Gaudi, Martin Sorensen, Adam (Sandy) Kozlowski, Sage (Eric) Pauli, Kyle Kozlowski,Jack Zimmerman, Caitlin Fredricks, Tess Zimmerman, Maddie Zimmerman, Raymond Zimmerman, Sarah Zimmerman, Benjamin Zimmerman, Sean Zimmerman, Adelaide Zimmerman, and Kirk Zimmerman.He is also survived by nine great grandchildren Wyatt Zimmerman, Finn Zimmerman, Amanda (Grant) Wyeth, Hannah McCarron, Keleigh McCarron, Cooper Pauli, Aiden Pauli, Michaela Osieczonek, and Isabella Osieczonek. He is also survived by three great-great-grandchildren Elle, Luke and Noah Wyeth. Visitation will be held on Monday, March 17, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Norris-Segert Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 132 Fremont Street (One block north of Washington St. & Main St.) Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at St. Mary's Church, 164 N. Oakwood Ave., West Chicago, IL at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Calvary Cemetery in West Chicago. For info 630-231-0060