William H. Atwater II
William Henry Atwater II, of Galesburg, IL, formerly of the Montello area, died suddenly on Thursday, March 19, 2015 at his home.
Bill was born August 28, 1951 in Galesburg, IL, the son of William Henry and Leona Margaret Ebbing Atwater Sr. He graduated from Knoxville High School and was a member of the 1969 Championship football team. Bill was united in marriage to Debra Marie Schweder on February 14, 1998 at the campground they owned in Montello, WI.
Bill worked for the BNSF Railroad for 20 years, retiring as a conductor in 1993. He then owned and operated the Echoes Supper Club and Campground on the Fox River in Montello from 1994 to 2003. He was a member of the Elk’s Club, and a former member of the Jaycee’s. Bill enjoyed singing karaoke, playing cards, shooting pool, was an avid catfisherman and even had a secret cheese bait. While living in Wisconsin, he coached high school football for several years. Bill loved to play Santa Claus, especially for the Special Olympics, the Children’s Miracle Network and Toys for Tots. He and Debra enjoyed travelling the United States during the winter.
He is survived by his wife, Debbie; his children and grandchildren, Bill (Cindy) Atwater III and son, Christopher; Jason (Toya) Atwater and sons, Justis and Jase; Kristin (Josh) Bland and daughters, Makailee, Macey and Mavery; Andrea (Dan) Klapper and children, Sean, Aaron, Jesse and Tiffany Grace; Jon (Amy) Dolgner and children, Natalee and Colin; and Kristina (Joe Violetto) Dolgner and children, Heidi Ann and Andrew “Buddy”; his father, Bill (Doris) Atwater; a sister, Nancy Walters; and two brothers, Jerry Atwater and Greg (Ann) Atwater. Bill is further survived by his mother-in-law, Dolores Schweder; brother-in-law, Jon Schweder; and sister-in-law, Kristine (John) Wassong. Bill is also survived by his dogs or “his girls” as he called them, Sassy and Sophie. He was preceded in death by his mother, Leona in 2001; his father-in-law, Merrill Schweder; and a brother-in-law, Richard Schweder.
There will be a gathering of family and friends on Saturday, March 28, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Barbola Funeral Chapel in Berlin. A memorial has been established. Online condolences may be sent to the family at barbolafc@yahoo.com.