William J. "Bill" Boys 1927 - 2020
Springfield, IL—Springfield, IL-William J. "Bill" Boys, 92, of Springfield, passed away at his home Saturday morning, February 1, 2020 with his family by his side.
He was born in Pana, IL the son of Dr. J. Wesley and Chlotiel (Beem) Boys. He married Helen Stahulak June 3, 1950 and she preceded him in death May 12, 2007. He was also preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, William, a daughter, Susan Boys in 1974, a son Scott Boys in 1997 and a brother, Wesley Boys.
Bill was the Director of the Department of Personal for the State of Illinois from 1977-1981 and then became the Deputy Commissioner of Banks & Trust Companies at the State of Illinois retiring in 1988. He was a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University and did graduate work at the University of Illinois. Bill served in the Army Air Corp from 1945-1947.
Bill was active in the Masonic fraternity for over 70 years. He was a member of St. Paul's Lodge #500 AF&AM, a 32 degree member of Springfield Valley of the Consistory and served as Potentate of Ansar Shrine in 1976. He served on the Board of Directors for Ansar for 20 years. He was formerly a member of the Court 20 Royal Order of Jesters, serving as Impesario of Court 20 from 1982-1998. He was also a former member of the York Rite, Elks BPOE #158 and the American Legion.
Bill is survived by his daughter, Sandy (Alan Hunter) Fisher of Springfield and a grandson, Aaron Boys.
As requested by Bill, Cremation Rites will be accorded by the Bisch Crematory. A memorial service will take place at 5:00 pm Friday, February 7, 2020 at Bisch Funeral Home West. 2931 S. Koke Mill Rd, Springfield with Pastor Nicole Cox officiating. St. Paul's Lodge #500 AF&AM will conduct a masonic service following at the funeral home. The family will greet friends following the masonic service in the reception center at Bisch Funeral Home West until 7:30 pm Friday.
Those who wish may direct memorial contributions to the Shriner's Hospital for Children 4400 Clayton Ave. St. Louis, MO 63110
Please visit the online "Life Remembered Story" at www.bischfuneralhomewest.com where tributes and condolences may be left for the family.
Arrangements are in the care of Bisch Funeral West 217-544-5424

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The State Journal-Register from Feb. 4 to Feb. 6, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for William Boys

Sponsored by Bisch Funeral Home.

12 Entries

Gail Danenberger

February 13, 2020

Sandy
I'm sorry to hear of your fathers passing. I remember him as a kind gentle spirit. Your in my thoughts and prayers.

The good ole days of dictation and shorthand

Judy Hall

February 7, 2020

I had the privilege of serving Bill as his secretary in the late 60's and the 70's before, during and after he was Director of Personnel for the State of Illinois. I always had the utmost respect for Bill as he did for me. You could not have asked for anyone better than Bill to work that closely with--it was a joy. I have stayed in touch with him all these years after I left Springfield. I received a Christmas card from him this past December and was sad to hear he was having some serious health issues. I will always remember Bill with the fondest of memories.

Sandy, I am so sorry for you and your family at this time of great sadness. Please know you are in my prayers.

Timothy Campbell

February 6, 2020

To Bill's family - We are deeply sorry for your loss. Bill was a genuine human being who was great to work with. He and I worked together in the Illinois Senate under Senator Bill Harris. He was knowledgeable and committed to doing right and doing it well. A thoughtful man who made a difference in the many lives he touched. May he rest in peace.

Annette Zeter

February 6, 2020

Sandy,

Im sorry for your loss, it made me sad to hear of Mr. Boys passing. I had the pleasure of working with him at the Commissioner of Banks and Trust. He was very kind and always smiling. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Nancy Carruthers Mullen

February 6, 2020

Sandy, Alan and family, my thoughts and prayers go out to you at this hard time. In reading the messages he was a wonderful man and well regarded. Bless you all.

Carol Coleman

February 6, 2020

Sandy, I'm so sorry for the loss of your dad. You might remember, I worked with your dad at Commissioner of Banks. Your dad was one of the nicest men I have ever had the pleasure to meet and work with. He will be missed by many. Sending love to you and yours. Carol Coleman

Mike Lawrence

February 5, 2020

Bill was an outstanding public servant. Competent, professional and honest. My condolences to his loved ones.

Sally (Heimlich) Gebhardt

February 5, 2020

Sandy so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers

Kent Fitzpatrick

February 5, 2020

Sandy and family, I am so sorry to hear of your Father passing. I am sure he is waiting for you in heaven.

Kevin Toelle

February 5, 2020

So sorry Sandy, I know you loved your dad very much. He had a wonderful life...

John Headrick

February 5, 2020

Dear Sandy and the Boys family,

Ordinarily I do not have difficulty finding the words for a condolence or sympathy when an acquaintance passes. But Bill was not just some acquaintance. He was a close and valued friend who I respected and admired for forty-five years.

I first met Bill when we worked together on the Illinois Senate staff in the mid 1970s. He was our Assistant Director and I was a research and appropriations analyst.

When James Thompson won the Illinois gubernatorial election in November 1976, Bill was among the very first individuals the Governor chose and trusted to lead one of the most crucial and essential state departments in the new administration.

As Director of the Illinois Department of Personnel, Bill was responsible for the hiring and management of all staff as well as the promulgation of civil service laws, rules and regulations for 60,000 state employees under the Illinois Personnel Code.

His duties also included the oversight of the state health and life insurance programs for all 120,000 state employees, annuitants, their families and dependents. Finally, Bill was the Governor's representative for management in all collective bargaining matters.

I had the honor and privilege of working with Bill in the Executive Office of the Personnel Department beginning in 1977. Director Boys always held himself to the highest standards of conduct.

He was honest, knowledgeable, personable, wise, approachable and loyal. Despite his busy schedule and critical role in Governor Thompson's cabinet, Bill always had time to talk with me and offer advice and direction on any issues I might have.

Notice I said "offer advice and direction." In all the years I knew Bill, not once did I ever hear him yell at someone or lose his temper. He never forced his opinion on others.

Bill knew how to truly listen to people and understood how to empathize with those who had differing opinions. He was patient and appreciated how to try and find a reasonable middle ground on difficult issues. When this sometimes proved impossible, Bill never held a grudge and attempted to be as magnanimous as possible.

Throughout his career in government, Bill was incredibly intelligent and maintained his proficiency in the newest technologies in communications and computers. He was a lifelong learner.

Bill always led by example. He never asked someone to do something he would not be comfortable doing himself. Later in his career in state government, Bill served with distinction as Deputy Commissioner in the Banks and Trust Companies Commission.

In his private as well as public life, people always looked to Bill for leadership and guidance. Like my father, Ray Headrick, Bill was a proud and accomplished member of the Illinois Ansar Shrine and the Masonic Order, serving as Potentate in 1976.

Throughout my career, whenever I needed a letter of recommendation or endorsement, Bill was the first person I asked for this favor. Whether it was applying to law school or admission to the Illinois State Bar, Bill was more than happy to take his valuable time to honor my request and put in a good word on my behalf. Not once did he ever complain or fail to grant me this courtesy.

Across the many years of his life, Bill was a faithful Christian, ethical, genuine, sincere and a decent man. But most of all, Bill loved life and his family. It was these qualities and many more that enabled him to survive the tragic and painful losses of his dear wife Helen, his beloved sons Scott and William, and his cherished daughter Susan.

Just a month ago, Bill mailed me a Christmas card and thank you note for some poinsettias I sent to cheer him up for the holidays. His script was wobbly and belabored and I can only imagine how much effort it required to complete his thoughts.

Yet I could read every word and hear his voice behind each lucid sentence. He confided to me that a mutual friend of ours was "in very poor health." And then, almost as an afterthought, Bill added in parentheses "I am too." How like Bill to think and care about others before himself. And he was never one to complain or whine, no matter how much suffering he had to endure.

I never knew Bill was in the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). He never told me. His modesty and selflessness were exemplary all his life. I salute and thank you Bill for your service to our country.

Just as the ancient Greeks valued excellence in all things as the highest standard in life, so did Bill Boys. He elevated everything he did to another level, especially the qualities of being a true gentleman, and an outstanding husband, father and brother.

My dear friend Bill--I will sorely miss you. I only wish I could have seen you before your departure.

May God bless Bill and your family now and always. Rest In Peace my friend and Godspeed.

John Headrick
Springfield, IL

Bruce Finne

February 4, 2020

I worked with Bill for many years in the state personnel system. He was very well respected and justifiably so for his knowledge and ability to work with people. I know that everyone who knew him will miss him.

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