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Bill Shields Obituary
Services will be 12 noon Saturday in the Shields Funeral Chapel, Oglesby. Visitation will be 9-12 Saturday in the funeral chapel.
Bill was born November 19, 1958 in LaSalle to Ralph and Yvonne (Dauck) Shields. He married Laurie Hebel September 15, 1989 in Peru.
Bill taught geology at Illinois State University.
Bill was a man of many talents. His first career was as a chef. He worked at the Red Door Inn both in Peru and Rockford. His second career was as a lineman for the City of Oglesby Electric Department. In 1996 he decided to go back to school, first to IVCC, then he earned a BS degree in Geology and a MS degree in Hydrogeology at Illinois State University. He was recruited by the head of the Geology/Geography Department at ILSTU to be a coordinator and within two weeks was teaching. Over 15 years at ILSTU he taught more than 30,000 students. Bill made Principles of Geology (POG) one of the most popular classes on campus. Not because it is a requirement, but because of who teaches it. His students called him "a rock star".
In 2016 Bill retired from teaching to become a caregiver to his beautiful granddaughter Georgia. Bill and Georgia had a blast together and she was the joy of his life.
Bill loved to cook. His special Mac and cheese was one of Georgia's favorite meals. He was active, participating in triathlons and marathons. He biked, swam, kayaked and rode his scooter. He took up fly fishing after he retired. He liked to cut grass and work in the yard, and he built his own computers and played video games. He especially loved to spend time with his wife, kids and granddaughter.
He is survived by his wife Laurie of Oglesby, a son Ben Shields of Oglesby, a stepdaughter Elena (Joe) Ridley of Tonica, a brother David (Mandy) Shields of Bella Vista, AR, a sister Nancy (Greg) Hybki of Oglesby and a granddaughter Georgia June.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Kim in infancy.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family to establish a scholarship in his name at Illinois State University.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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