Abel, William B.

Abel_William_001William B. Abel, 79, of Galesburg, Ill. passed away at Seminary Manor in Galesburg at 5:12 p.m. Tuesday, August 11, 2015.

William was born January 15, 1936 in Taylorville, Ill., the son of William H. Abel and Romola Breeze Abel. He is survived by a sister, Brenda Campbell of Independence, Mo. and two nephews, Robert Campbell and Bruce Campbell. He is preceded in death by his parents.

William was raised in Taylorville, however graduated from high school in Deland, Fla. in 1954. He received his Bachelor’s Degree at Stetson University in Florida in 1958. He graduated from George Peabody College in 1959 with a Master’s Degree in Education. In 1974, he received a Ph.D. in Education Administration from Michigan State University.

William served as Assistant and Area Superintendent in Marlboro County Schools, Bennettsville, S.C. He served as the Superintendent of Montgomery County Schools and Clarksville City Schools from 1978 to 1984. He moved to Galesburg in 1984 and served as Superintendent of Schools for Galesburg District 205 for the next 11 years. He retired in 1995 and served as a part time instructor for several years at Bradley University, Peoria, Ill. in the Education Department.

William served in the U.S. Army from 1963 to 1966 in Germany during the Vietnam War era. He was attached to the 7th Army Courts and Boards Section.

William was a long time member and a Past President of the Noon Rotary Club of Galesburg. He was presented the honor of Paul Harris Fellow in Rotary. He was elected to the Knox County Board and served for a number of years for District 2, Galesburg. He was a member and past Chairman of the Knox County Republican Party. He received the Freedom Foundation Award from Valley Forge, Pa.

He was a member of the Community of Christ Church in Galesburg and served as an elder and a pastor of the church for several years.

Visitation will be at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel on Friday, August 14, 2015 from 5 to 7 p.m. The funeral for William Abel will be in Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2015.

He will then be transported to McClure Funeral Home, 302 W. Poplar Street, Taylorville, IL for a visitation on Monday, August 17, 2015 from 10 a.m. to noon. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery in Taylorville

William was a faithful supporter of the Galesburg Rescue Mission, 435 E. Third St., Galesburg, IL 61401. William would be pleased to have any memorials in his name go to the Rescue Mission. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.

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