Mr. William B. Valentine, 81, of Morris, passed away peacefully Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, with his family at his side at his home.
 
Born Feb. 11, 1930, in Chicago, Bill was a son of the late Stanley and Margaret (Pocewicz) Valentine. He was raised in Chicago and was a graduate of Chicago Vocational School.

Bill honorably served in the United States Air Force for two terms during the Korean Conflict. He married Sible M. Hudgens on Jan. 28, 1956, in Springfield, Tenn.

Bill was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Morris, where he was a former Boy Scout Leader and Sunday School Teacher. He worked as a carpenter and retired from the Carpenters Local Union 174.

Bill was an avid animal lover and enjoyed puzzles. He was a true Chicago sports enthusiast, following the Chicago White Sox, Bears, Bulls and especially the Blackhawks. Bill also found great pleasure in the Morris Redskins, especially when his grandchildren were playing. He will forever be remembered as a devoted family man, who truly cherished the times spent with his family.

Survivors include his loving wife of 55 years, Sible; children, Gerald (Rosie) Valentine of Liberal, Kansas, Daumont (Kelly) Valentine, Michael (Vicki) Valentine and William (Marcy) Valentine, all of Morris, Dean "Jeff" (Bonnie) Valentine of Channahon, and Mary Wickens and Chad (Amy Dubrovich) Valentine, both of Morris; grandchildren, Daumont (Jacquelyne) Valentine III, Meagan Valentine, Anna Valentine, Bryan Valentine, Brandon (Jordan Wilson) Valentine, Brenton (Kara Decker) Valentine, Marvin Valentine, Thomas Dabney, Andrew Peters, Rori Griffin, Gary Brecker, Jennifer Valentine, Jeffery Valentine, Garrett Valentine, Nicole (Robert) Rub, Candace Morin, Stephanie (Revell) Sizemore, Lucas Wickens, Lena Wickens, Alex Valentine, Scott Valentine, Chase Valentine and Moni Valentine; 11 great-grandchildren; his daughter-in-law, Wanda Valentine; and two sisters, Margaret Valentine of Chicago and Helen (the late Richard) Rothe of Chicago Ridge; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
 
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; one son, John Valentine; one grandson, Sean Valentine; son-in-law, Lee Wickens; two brothers, Arthur Valentine and Daumont Valentine; and one sister, Sylvia Valentine.

Visitation and video tribute will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012, at Reeves Funeral Home, 408 East Washington St. (one block East of Illinois 47), in Morris.

Funeral services will follow at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 5 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 516 East Jackson St., in Morris, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated.

Pallbearers will be Daumont Valentine III, Bryan Valentine, Brandon Valentine, Brenton Valentine, Jeffery Valentine and Alex Valentine.
 
Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Bill's memory to his family for distribution to local charities of their choosing.
 
Friends may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences to the family by logging onto www.ReevesFuneral.com.
 
Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Morris. For more information, call (815) 942-2500.