William “Bill” Albert, 89, of Smithboro, passed away on Friday, February 18, 2022, at Greenville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Greenville.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 22, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the First Christian Church, located at 1100 Killarney Drive in Greenville. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 23, at 11 a.m. at Assalley-Young Funeral Home, located at 118 E. College Ave. in Greenville with the Rev. Dee Armes officiating. Interment will follow the ceremony at Noffsinger Cemetery in Pleasant Mound.
Mr. Albert was born on Sept. 14, 1932, in Tamalco, the son of Herman Newton and Goldie Lavada (Cook) Albert. He married Shirley Elaine Willman on June 2, 1956, in Greenville, and she preceded him in death in July of 2015.
Mr. Albert lived in Bond County for most of his life, and for 52 of those years he called Smithboro home. His family and those that knew him lovingly described him as onery, a prankster and a joke teller. He earned his living as a truckdriver for most of his adult life, and later was elected to six consecutive terms as the road commissioner for Pleasant Mound Township. He enjoyed going to auctions and was an avid toy collector, especially of semi trucks and farm equipment. He belonged to the Bond County Antique Machinery Club, the VFW Post 5694 of Highland and the American Legion Post 1180 of Mulberry Grove.
Mr. Albert is survived by his children, Carl (Jan) Albert of Mulberry Grove, Carmen (Steve) Emerson of Edwardsville and Connie (Steve) Hamel of Greenville; grandchildren, Olivia Emerson of Edwardsville, Newt (Katie) Albert of Mulberry Grove, Lorri (Jeff) Leidner of Mulberry Grove, Joseph (Kenley) Hamel of Greenville, Isaac Hamel of Aviston and Jaclyn (Chad) Nelson of Greenville; sisters, June Wise of Greenville, Mid Evanich of Springfield and Joyce Ennen of Mulberry Grove; four great-grandchildren and two on the way.
In addition to his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Merle Albert, Don Albert, Earl Albert, Margie Jaeger, Mert Stanton and Melba Owensby.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Noffsinger Cemetery, or the Bond County Antique Machinery Club. Visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to share memories offer condolences.
