William Spenny

William "Bill" Lee Spenny, 85, of Canton, passed away in the early morning of May 2, 2024 at Aperion Care Center, Fairfield, IL. He was born May 27, 1938, to Marion "Squirrel" Spenny and Allene (Arnett) Spenny. He married Annamae Ruey Fengel on July 22, 1988. She survives. Also surviving are his daughters Lyn Donaho of Canton and Gayle Fengel of Peoria, son Mike Spenny, grandchildren LaNaya Donaho of Canton, Mattie, Owen and Liam Maupin of Peoria, and great-grandchildren Caleb and Chloe Ellis of Canton, sister Nancy Petty of Canton, nephews Steve (Amber) and Tom (Amanda) Petty of Canton, and many great-nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law Gerald "Pink" Petty.

Bill was a veteran of the United States Marine Corp. He worked as a coal miner for Freeman United Coal Company in Canton and later as a United Mine Workers Association safety inspector in Illinois. As safety inspector, Bill taught safety courses to miners in Berkeley, W. Va, and investigated mining accidents in Illinois, and as a lobbyist for UMWA, he spoke to legislators in Washington, DC. Bill was also past president of Canton’s UMWA local, and he served a partial term on the Fulton County Board. When the mines in Canton finally closed down, Bill drove a truck first for LaRoma’s Pizza and later for the State of Illinois where he delivered bread made at Illinois River Correctional Center to other prisons within the state of Illinois. After his retirement from the state, Bill worked for his good friend, Curtis Gorsuch, helping him with his auction services. If Curtis was having an auction, it was a guarantee that Bill was going to be there holding up items during the sale.

Bill had a love for collecting pocket knives and tools and acquired an extensive collection over the years. When he still lived in Canton, he spent most mornings with his coffee buddies at McDonald’s or Hardee’s. Bill also had a love of Canton sports. He was a founding member of the Canton Little Giants Booster Club. Over the years, he helped clear ball diamonds, clean gyms, and raise money for Canton school district sports - even helping to spearhead a campaign which saved the Canton High School sports program and athletic director’s position in the ‘80s. Bill was instrumental in raising funds for the installation of the all-weather track at Canton High School. He singlehandedly organized a team of people, including inmates, students, and volunteers to sod the football field after the track was completed.

Bill dedicated countless hours running the clock at the boys’ high school football and basketball games, girls’ basketball and volleyball games, and helping time high school track meets. Bill’s service was recognized by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association in 2008 when he was nominated by former Canton Athletic Director Ron Fahnestock and inducted into the Friends of Basketball Hall of Fame.

Cremation rites have been accorded with Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton. Burial of the ashes will occur graveside at White Chapel Cemetery at a later time.

Memorials can be made to the Canton Little Giant Booster Club