William John "B.J." Fitzpatrick

1949 - 2025

William John "B.J." Fitzpatrick
Born: November 28, 1949 in Joliet, IL
Died: November 20, 2025 in Joliet, IL
William John "B.J." Fitzpatrick, age 75, of Braidwood, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 20, 2025 at Lightways Hospice Home, Joliet. Survived by his devoted wife of 33 years together 38 years Sheryl (nee Erickson) Fitzpatrick, his children Ryan (Melissa) Fitzpatrick, Courtney Garrelts, Jenny (Kurt) Crater, and Jackie (Brett) Gould, grandchildren Britni (Gio) Scianna, Mya Anderson, McKenna Fitzpatrick, Rowan Fitzpatrick, Reese Fitzpatrick, Aubrey Jensen, Leah Jensen, Grady Jensen, Peyton Garrelts, Dylan Garrelts, Camryn Garrelts, Alexis Crater, Natalie Crater, Beth Crater, Benjamin Gould, Trevor Gould, and Evan Gould, great grandchildren Jack, Eva, Raven and Hagen, his brothers Jack (Sharon) Fitzpatrick, Mike (Jeanette) Fitzpatrick, Tim (Kasie) Fitzpatrick, sisters-in-law Sandy (Dave) Biros, Shirley (John Franklin) Sinclair, Diane (Mike) Marques, and Debbie (Jeff) Pierce, his brother-in-law Doug Letterly and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Preceded in death by his parents William and Ruth (nee Becker) Fitzpatrick, parents-in-law Fred and Marie (nee DeGrush) Erickson, his stepson David Anderson, his brother in infancy Brian Joseph Fitzpatrick, his brothers Patrick Fitzpatrick and Lawrence Fitzpatrick, his sister Lynn Letterly, his brother-in-law Jim Sinclair, his sister-in-law Katie Fitzpatrick and his faithful canine companions "Spike" and "Mugsy". B.J. was born and raised in Braidwood, he was a graduate of St. Rose Grade School, Reed-Custer High School, and Illinois State University with a Bachelor's degree in business management and mathematics. After graduation he worked for Peabody Coal in Braidwood followed by Commonwealth Edison for a short time. B.J. then got a position at Exxon Mobile Refinery where he worked for 38 years retiring in 2012. After retirement he enjoyed wintering in Florida with his wife Sheryl. B.J. enjoyed golfing for leisure and many golf leagues thoughout the years. He also was an avid reader, loved crossword puzzles, Wheel of Fortune, Chicago Bears, telling jokes, stories of his younger years, swimming in his backyard pool and chipping golf balls in his back yard for hours. B.J. also built his home in Braidwood from the ground up, he was too humble to brag about it but he was very proud of the home that he created. B.J. had a heart of gold, he loved everyone he met and they loved him back. His family was everything to him; he will be remembered for his sense of humor, his kind and generous spirit, and his loyal friendship. Visitation for B.J. will take place on Monday, November 24, 2025 from 4-8:00pm at R.W. Patterson Funeral Home and Crematory, Braidwood, IL. Funeral service will take place the next day, Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 10:00am also at the funeral home with Fr. Josh Miller officiating. Inurnment Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Wilmington will immediately follow. Arrangements entrusted to Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, Manhattan. Please direct any questions to Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 815-478-3321, www.forsythegouldfh.com.