William R. Popkess, Sr.

William Richard Popkess, Sr., age 77, of Alhambra, IL., died Saturday, November 11, 2006, at Alhambra Care Center in Alhambra, IL. He was born September 8, 1929, in East Saint Louis, IL., the son of Col. George and Mona (Timlin) Popkess. On October 7, 1953, he married Jean M. Popkess, nee Iberg died 7/4/2005 , who passed away July 4, 2005. William was born and grew up in East St. Louis. In 1946 his family moved to the Ozarks and he graduated from the School of the Osage at Lake Ozark, MO He attended University of Missouri @ Columbia, then served with the US Army Signal Corps. from 1951-1953 during the Korean Conflict with duty in Germany. In 1953 he opened William R. Popkess Insurance Agency in East St. Louis, then Edgemont, Belleville and moved his agency to Highland in 1978. He retired in 2001. He and his family lived in Belleville (Signal Hill) and moved to Highland in 1974. He enjoyed hunting (rabbit, goose) and was a season ticket holder of the Baseball and Football Cardinals(Rams), and a season ticket holder of Missouri Football and Basketball. William loved being with people and loved to entertain. He was an avid reader, always carried a camera and loved photography. His life was dedicated to Fraternal and Civic Services. Organizations that he had attended are as follows: Ainad Temple - Past Potentate 1975, Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Southern Illinois - Past Commander, York Rite Bodies, 33 Degree Mason (Honorary Degree), Royal Order of Jesters, Southern Illinois Court #86, Marine Lodge #355 AF & AM - Past Master & Secretary, Former Member of Emeth Lodge #1030, AF & AM - East St. Louis, Former Member of Highland Lodge #583, AF & AM, Silver Lake Shrine Club - Life Member, a host of other Shriner-related organizations, St. Clair County West Rotary Club - Past President, Former member of Highland Rotary Club, Paul Harris Fellow with Rotary International, Past Govenor, Rotary District 6510 - Southern Illinois, Bi-County YMCA - 3 term Past President, East Saint Louis YMCA - Former Board of Directors Member, Illinois YMCA, Board of Directors - Former Board of Directors Member, East Saint Louis Chamber of Commerce - Former Board of Directors, Member Belleville Chamber of Commerce, Highland Chamber of Commerce, East Saint Louis Jaycees - Former Member, American Legion Post 439 - Member, American Legion Post 53 - Member, V.F.W. Post 5694 - Past Commander, Signal Hill School Board - Past President, served 1961-1973, Special Education School District - Past President, Southern Illinois Insurance Agents - Past President, Life Underwriters Training Council (LUTC), former instructor at SIU-E, Christian Welfare Hospital - Former Board of Directors Member, Salvation Army - Past President, Advisory Board Member, Saint Clair Country Club - Former Member, Saint Louis Stadium Club - Former Member, University of Missouri Alumni Association - Member since 1951, Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity at University of Missouri - Past President, Member, Phi Kappa Alpha Alumni Association, American Parkinson Disease Association - Member, Grantfork United Church of Christ - Member, Highland Moose Lodge - Charter Member, Madison County Zoning Board - Member 1990-2002, Highland Planning Commission - Past Chairman, Highland Zoning Board - Former Member, Highland Economic Development Board - Past Chairman, Certified Police Officer for the Village of Sauget, IL Survivors include Daughter-Mary Ann (William Michael) Gould of Highland, Ill., Daughter-Pam P. (Terry \"Giz\") Schrumpf of Highland, Ill., Son-William R. (Ann) Popkess Jr. of Highland, Ill., Grandson-Jon M. Gould of Saint Jacob, Ill., Grandson-Nic W. (Chandra) Gould of Highland, Ill., Grandson-Tim R. Gould of Carlinville, Ill., Grandson-Colby D (Lindsey) Schrumpf of Highland, Ill., Grandson-Justin D. Schrumpf of Highland, Ill., Grandson-Ben J. Popkess of Highland, Ill., Grandson-Ray W. Popkess of Highland, Ill., Gr. Granddaughter-Kayel S. Gould of Highland, Ill., Sister-Marianna P. Vonnahme of Carlyle, Ill., Sister-In-Law-JoAnn (Bill) Sackett of Raleigh, N.C., Sister-In-Law-Peggy Lee (Bob) Tanking of Belleville, Ill., Sister-In-Law-Mary Lou Strong of Highland, Ill. He was preceded in death by Wife-Jean M. Popkess, nee Iberg died 7/4/2005, Father-Col. George Edwin Popkess Sr., Mother-Mona Maria Popkess, nee Timlin, Brother-Col. G. Edwin Popkess Jr., Sister-In-Law-Janet G. Popkess, Sister-Patricia Petchell, Brother-In-Law-Russell Strong, Brother-In-Law-Conrad Vonnahme Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, Ill.

William R. Popkess, Sr.

September 8, 1929 - November 11, 2006