William Daniels
Jerseyville |
William Dale Daniels, 67, died at 8:00 a.m. Saturday, November 28, 2009 at V.I.P. Manor in Wood River. Born October 29, 1942 in Alton, he was the son of Ernest M. and Goldie (Isringhausen) Daniels.
He attended grade school in Dana, Indiana and graduated from Jersey Community High School. He sold insurance in Nashville, TN for 17 years and coached little league baseball teams most of those years. He returned to the Riverbend area in 1976. He may be remembered as a salesman at Piasa Lincoln-Mercury and Peyton Oldsmobile. He was the Kane Township Clerk for 16 years and also served as Mayor of Kane. His last business venture was founder and owner of B D Sports in Alton, from which he retired in 2008.
For most of his life, Bill knew there was something different about him. Other kids didn't have crooked arms and legs, were taller than he, and were able to participate in sports and physical activities. The doctors he saw knew nothing about his disorder, and for years he wondered if he was the only person in the world with this strange disease. At the age of 57 he received a diagnosis of Multiple Hereditary Exostoses, MHE. Once he had a name for his disorder, Bill made it his mission to reach out to others with MHE. Over the years approximately 700 families from the US and 29 other countries have participated in an online group, founded by Bill with the help of his niece, gaining and giving information and support. "Uncle Billy" did more than provide online support; he would often call families whose children where having MHE surgeries to offer his personal support. Bill's group became a member of the MHE Coalition, a non-profit organization formed in 2000 to provide support, information, participation, and to fund research for those living with this rare disorder. To so many "Uncle Bill" remains the heart and soul of the MHE support movement. Throughout the years, when health problems kept Bill from attending MHE "gatherings", many group members made the trip to meet the man who helped change their lives.
Surviving is a brother, August Norman Daniels of Carrollton, a sister, Iva D. Berry of Kane and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, John F. Daniels, and an infant sister, Marcella G. Daniels. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the memorial service at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the Kane Baptist Church. Reverend Dennis Hill and Reverend Chuck Keene will officiate.
Burial will be at Kane Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: The MHE Coalition, P.O. Box 651, Pine Island, NE 10969-0651. All donations will be used for programs for children, as Bill would have wanted. Gent Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements.
Online guestbook and information may be found at http://www.gentfuneralhome.com.
He attended grade school in Dana, Indiana and graduated from Jersey Community High School. He sold insurance in Nashville, TN for 17 years and coached little league baseball teams most of those years. He returned to the Riverbend area in 1976. He may be remembered as a salesman at Piasa Lincoln-Mercury and Peyton Oldsmobile. He was the Kane Township Clerk for 16 years and also served as Mayor of Kane. His last business venture was founder and owner of B D Sports in Alton, from which he retired in 2008.
For most of his life, Bill knew there was something different about him. Other kids didn't have crooked arms and legs, were taller than he, and were able to participate in sports and physical activities. The doctors he saw knew nothing about his disorder, and for years he wondered if he was the only person in the world with this strange disease. At the age of 57 he received a diagnosis of Multiple Hereditary Exostoses, MHE. Once he had a name for his disorder, Bill made it his mission to reach out to others with MHE. Over the years approximately 700 families from the US and 29 other countries have participated in an online group, founded by Bill with the help of his niece, gaining and giving information and support. "Uncle Billy" did more than provide online support; he would often call families whose children where having MHE surgeries to offer his personal support. Bill's group became a member of the MHE Coalition, a non-profit organization formed in 2000 to provide support, information, participation, and to fund research for those living with this rare disorder. To so many "Uncle Bill" remains the heart and soul of the MHE support movement. Throughout the years, when health problems kept Bill from attending MHE "gatherings", many group members made the trip to meet the man who helped change their lives.
Surviving is a brother, August Norman Daniels of Carrollton, a sister, Iva D. Berry of Kane and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, John F. Daniels, and an infant sister, Marcella G. Daniels. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the memorial service at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the Kane Baptist Church. Reverend Dennis Hill and Reverend Chuck Keene will officiate.
Burial will be at Kane Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: The MHE Coalition, P.O. Box 651, Pine Island, NE 10969-0651. All donations will be used for programs for children, as Bill would have wanted. Gent Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements.
Online guestbook and information may be found at http://www.gentfuneralhome.com.
Obit Provided By:
Gent Funeral Home
Gent Funeral Home
