William 'Bill' E. Southard

William “Bill” E. Southard, 89, of Butler, formerly of Taylorville, passed away on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at his residence.

Bill was born April 29, 1934, in Springfield, the son of Carl Herbert and Mary Louise (Weitekamp) Southard.  He graduated from Pleasant Plains High School with the Class of 1955 and was drafted into the United States Army.  Bill proudly served our country with the 82^nd Airborne Division.  He owned and operated Southard Tree Service for decades, servicing Taylorville and the surrounding areas.  Bill was a former member of the Church of God in Kincaid.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Patricia; daughters, Charlene and Catherine; and brothers, Clarence “Buster”, George, and Bob Southard.

Bill is survived by his daughters, Carolyn L. (Lynn) Goebel of Rochester, and Cindy Southard of Des Moines, IA; 10 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; siblings, Ben Southard of Springfield, John “Bing” (Linda) Southard of Springfield, and Bunny (Jim Haley) Southard of Big Pine Key, FL; sister-in-law, Karen Southard of Galesburg; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his faithful companion, Little Joe the Chihuahua.

Graveside Ceremony: 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 26, 2023, at Camp Butler National Cemetery, 5063 Camp Butler Rd, Springfield, IL 62707, with military honors provided by the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County and the Department of Defense.

The family has entrusted Shafer-Perfetti & Assalley Funeral Home in Taylorville with ceremonies.

Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to share memories of Bill, or to offer condolences to his family.