Joseph Snodgrass

CHILLICOTHE - Joseph W. "Bill" Snodgrass, 82, of Chillicothe died on Friday, April 11, 2014, at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria.

He was born on April 19, 1931, to Keby Joe and Ida Belle (Thompson) Snodgrass in Evansville, Ind., and grew up in Tennessee and Arkansas. At the age of 16, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, which became the Air Force during his enlistment. During his time in the Air Force, he witnessed the desegregation of the American military. At one time, he was stationed in Alaska, and never lost his love for the beauty of that state. He married Betty Sue Rhew of Evansville on Oct. 21, 1950. She survives.

Also surviving are his brother, Richard E. (Kay) Snodgrass of Compton Hills; and his children, Victor W. (Norma) Snodgrass of Yorkville, Rebecca A. Logue and Paul N. Snodgrass, both of Chillicothe, Deborah R. Grimes of East Peoria and Kevin M. Snodgrass of Pekin. He also is survived by nine grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren, ranging in age from 21 years to 14 weeks.

His parents, two grandsons and a daughter-in-law preceded him in death.

Bill Snodgrass was an accomplished poet, winning numerous awards, including the Edward H. Cole Memorial Award of Outstanding Laureate Winner from the United Amateur Press Association and the Edgar Lee Masters Awards from the Edgar Lee Masters Day Poetry Competition. Bill was a member of the Peoria Poetry Club and the Chillicothe Historical Society. When the CHS restored the Rock Island Depot at the corner of Third Street and Cedar Street, he cleared the property, tearing down the old shed not original to the site. He was a member and past chieftain of the former Peoria Scottish-American Society. He was a professional storyteller, a pilot, enjoyed going on rendezvous at least one a year, loved family gatherings and was an avid genealogist, researching the history of the Snodgrass name.

He was a Baptist and last attended the Rome Baptist Church in Rome.

Bill was instrumental in forming the organization called the Veteran of Underage Military Service and, more recently, the American Veterans That Enlisted Underage. He was a Master Mason and past Master of George Washington Masonic Lodge 222. He was past vice president of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Peoria, Peoria Consistory; a Knight of the Temple of the Peoria Commander; and a Royal and Selected Master of the Peoria Council of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons. He was also a member of the Cherokee Nation.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 17, 2014, at Weber-Hurd Funeral Home in Chillicothe, two days before his 83rd birthday. Pastor Andy Goewey will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, ending with Masonic rites. Burial will be in the Chillicothe City Cemetery, with military rites. Following the funeral service, friends are welcome to join the family at the Masonic Lodge for a celebration of life luncheon.

Bill's online memorial website may be viewed at www.hurdfamilyfunerals.com.