William (Bill) Paul Vanderheyden, age 72 of Freeport, IL, died Sunday, January 22, 2012 at the Provena St. Joseph Center in Freeport. He was born June 17, 1939, in Freeport, the son of Lloyd and Myrtle (Carpenter) Vanderheyden. Bill was a graduate of Stockton High School's class of 1957 and was the quarterback during their undefeated season.
He served in the United States Army in Germany from 1960 to 1962. He worked as a machinist at Micro Switch for 28 years at Plant 1. Bill was an avid football fan, especially of the Stockton Blackhawks and the Chicago Bears.
He is survived by his daughter Lisa (Pete) Mickelson of Baraboo, WI; four sons, Mark of Rockville, IN, William (Sara) of Loveland, CO, Brian of Memphis, TN, and Andrew (Jacque) of Dubuque, IA; three sisters, June Finn of Stockton, Sharon (Danny) Broshous of Stockton, and Linda (Steve) Thayer of Freeport; three brothers, Roger (Katherine) of Yellville, AK, Robert (Jane) of Stockton, and Jack (Laurrel) of Stockton; 13 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and his friend Cindy Marcum of Freeport.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Malcolm, Dewey, and Kenneth.
A visitation will be held Thursday, January 26, 2012 at the Hermann Funeral Home in Stockton from 4 to 8 PM. There will be a private graveside service at Ladies Union Cemetery in Stockton. A memorial fund has been established for the Stockton Football Program. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hermannfuneralhome.com