Passed away peacefully on 3/24/2022 at the young age of 71 years at his residence in Farmington IL that he shared with his wife Mary Alice (Sprague), she survives. Bill was born on 9/30/1950 in the Graham Hospital, Canton, IL to Julian & Betty (Stockman) Kauzlarich. Both of whom are deceased. He is also survived by his daughter Jessica (Daniel) Slater of Farmington and two Grandchildren, Scarlett & Sebastian Slater. Austin Ensor “the son he never had” also from Farmington Also Daughter in-law Heather (Kevin) Cupples of Missouri and Step Granddaughters Malloree Hedrick, Rylee Cupples, and Kallee Cupples (Coty) all of Iowa. Bill was an only child, raised on a small farm south of Farmington just down the country road from his paternal grandparents, Tony & Olga Kauzlarich. His small world existed in Fulton County between the small farm life and the small River town of Liverpool, where his mother was from. He always looked forward to going to his Liverpool family for Holidays and other events. Loved to relate and mention the many memories of such gatherings and all the relatives in his life. This small family of three attended St. Matthews Catholic Church in Farmington. He most prized childhood possessions were his AM/FM radio and the set of WORLD BOOK Encyclopedias that his parents had purchased for the family. The radio introduced him to his Beloved Chicago White Sox and his idol Nellie Fox but the Encyclopedia introduced him to the WORLD outside of Farmington, and all the knowledge one little farm boy could muster. Giving him the lust for learning and collecting data and statistics. Bill attended Farmington School District all the way from first grade thru Graduating in 1968 from High School. Starting his love of ‘Purple & Gold’. Most people knew Bill loved his sports. His LOVE of the White Sox, Indianapolis Colts (starting back to Baltimore), St Louis Blues, and Atlanta Hawks. Bill was a loyal fan of these teams, but it never stopped him from watching and following all teams and gathering and remembering all the statistics he could retain & rattle off the top of his head. Even though he played Baseball in his youth, he was more of a spectator than a participant. Except one story was how he wanted to be on the Varsity Football Team, and he discovered the position of Place Kicker. So, he built a Goal post at his homestead in which he could practice kicking the football. He did earn a place on the football team and was proud of that honor. At his last Class Reunion he had the honor of inviting his High School Coach Ron Ellberg to attend and personally thanked him for letting him try out for the team. Another memory he had was on his 17th Birthday, friends from High School invited him to attend his very first Baseball Game in St. Louis. It would be hard to count how many baseball Games he has attended since. Even going on to coach his daughter’s baseball team, and going to Scarlett’s games last summer.
In his adult years, Bill caught the Tennis bug, and found out he was good at playing Tennis both as a Single player and Doubles around Fulton County. He attended Western University, again proud of the “Purple & Gold”, but he heard that the Midland Coal Company was hiring, and at that time the Mine was one of the top companies around Fulton County to get a job, not only because of the pay but for the benefits that were offered. Bill worked for the Mine for over 20 years, then worked at Caterpillar and Mitsubishi. His greatest achievement in life was the birth of his daughter. He was a devoted Father, literally took a second Shift Job so he could be a more active Father in her school years. Coached her Softball Team, never missed her games and plays, took her and her friends on trips, all along passing down his knowledge and love for history, sports trivia, travel and his sense of humor. He was so proud of her and her accomplishments, but especially for making him a Papa. He loved to travel, and even though most trips always included going to a professional Stadium or Arena to watch a sporting event, he did love to explore and learn new experiences like Broadway Shows in New York, Las Vegas Shows, The Niagara Falls in Canada, St Louis, Chicago, Walt Disney World with his daughter and her friends plus their families and of course his beloved St Pete Beach in Florida. There always was a story to be told about his escapades and adventures. Traveling is one of the things that he and Mary Alice loved to do together. Bill prided himself that he was a true friend. No matter how Bill met you in his life, whether at school, while at a work place, thru an APBA board game website, at a youth game, local restaurant, or on Facebook, if he deemed you a friend you became his friend for life; including having daily phone calls, emails, monthly breakfast or luncheon summit meetings with those with whom he was the closest. He was known for his Humor. It warmed his heart when he evoked a smile or chuckle from you with one of his many ‘Bill-isms’ and one liner’s. Facebook became one of his new passions because he could start your day with a bit of a laugh, post a new picture of the joys of his life, his grandchildren, and introduce you to his newest obsession on how a DOG man became a CAT lover. It broke his heart that in the end the one thing that this horrible Cancer took from him was his ability to talk and communicate how incredibly happy he was with all his friendships from over the years. He is truly a life that was taken way before his time. He had so much more to say and garner a smile from each and every one of you. Cremation rites will be accorded through Anderson-Sedgwick Funeral Home in Farmington. Private Family Burial of ashes will be held at Oak Ridge Cemetery on Saturday, April 9, 2022. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. To leave an online condolence for the family visit www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com
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