- Date Of Birth: August 24, 1944
- Date Of Death: February 12, 2017
- State: Nebraska
On February 7, 1965, Bill married Norma Jean Harting in Lawrenceville, IL.
Bill entered the US Navy on January 17, 1967. He served on the USS Yorktown. While attached to VS 23, Bill was assigned to the Pueblo Court of Inquiry as an aid to one of the Admirals because of his security clearance. Later, he was assigned to the Recruit Training Command at the Great Lakes Naval Station, where he was part of the Admiral’s staff. Bill earned his honorable discharge on May 17, 1971, as 2nd Class Naval Yeoman.
While Bill was in college, he worked part time at JC Penney’s and following his graduation he worked full time. When he completed his military service, Bill returned to the Vincennes Penney’s Store and continued his career. During his employment with Penney’s Bill worked at ten different stores located in Illinois, Nebraska, Colorado and Iowa. Bill retired in September 2006 after 40 years of service.
Bill enjoyed being active in civic organizations and his church. He liked to do woodworking and plant trees. He and Jean especially liked to travel. However, his passion was for his family.
Bill is survived by his wife of 52 years; one daughter, Julie (Gary) Wise; grandchildren, Michael (Mariah) Wise and Bradley Wise (Bailey Suehl), Kerstan Slater, Kolten Slater and Sydney Slater; one great grandchild, Ayden Wise; two brothers, Kelly (Mary) Slater, of Neoga, IL, and Stan (Young) Slater, of Mattoon, IL.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one stillborn daughter, Theresa Slater, and one son, Mark Slater.
