William D. "Bill" Ost

1939 - 2024

William "Bill" D. Ost
Born: December 17, 1939 in Oconomowoc, WI
Died: May 25, 2024 in Oregon, IL
William D. Ost, "Bill", 84, of Dixon, IL, passed away surrounded by loved ones on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon, IL.
Bill was born on December 17, 1939, in Oconomowoc, WI, the son of Leon and Anna (Smola) Ost. He graduated from Savanna, IL, high school in 1957. He graduated from Bradley University (Civil Engineering) in 1961 and later received Outstanding Alumnus Award. While at school, he saw a beautiful young lady picking flowers, asked her on a date, and later married Patricia Shultz. They shared a loving marriage for 62 years. He worked for Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) District 2 starting as a bridge engineer and ending as the District Engineer in Dixon, IL, for almost 39 years and retired in 1999.
He was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Dixon, serving on many church committees. He also served on the following: Dixon Area Garden Club, Main Street Design, Dixon Park Board, Riverfront Commission, Dixon in Bloom Club, Plum Creek Gardens Club, Petunia Festival Board, Habitat for Humanity, PTO. He was a member of the IL Association of Professional Engineers, Highway Engineers, and State Highway and Transportation Officials. As District Engineer, he oversaw many projects across the northern IL region. He received many awards for service to the community and his profession.
Bill enjoyed reading a good book, planting flowers, gardening, woodworking, flipping pancakes, and planting petunias for the Petunia Festival. He loved spending time with his family and especially all his grandchildren. He was very passionate while watching and shouting for the Green Bay Packers.
Bill is survived by his wife of 62 years, Patricia, of Dixon; his children, Kimberly (Michael) Bradley, of Dixon, DeAnna (John) Wilson, of Dixon, Todd (Melissa) Ost, of Rochelle; six grandchildren, Caleb (Melissa) Bradley, Kayla (Drew) Fordham, Justin Wilson, Kaitlynn, Madison, and Jacob Ost; two great-grandchildren, Kellan and Landon Bradley; brother-in-law, Donald Kropidlowski; nephew, Michael Kropidlowski; niece, Rebecca Kropidlowski; and great-nephew, Ryan Kropidlowski.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Anna Ost; one sister, Judith Kropidlowski; and mother-in-law, Florence Shultz.
A Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, in Dixon. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am the following day on Monday, June 3, 2024, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, in Dixon, with Pastor Elizabeth Mascal, officiating. Burial will be to follow at Oakwood Cemetery, in Dixon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to either St. Paul Lutheran Church, in Dixon, or Serenity Hospice & Home, in Oregon.
Arrangements were completed by Preston-Schilling Funeral Home, in Dixon.
Condolences may be sent to www.prestonschilling.com.