Bill Terrell
Martin, TN | Save
In 95 years, Bill H. Terrell never met a stranger and had few bad days. He’d say that was the result of his Christian faith. He’d also say that when he died at 12:29 on Thursday morning, December 5, 2024, he went home to meet Jesus.
Bill was a Tennessee boy, growing up on farms near Martin, TN, before serving in the army during the Korean War and graduating from Murray State University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
It was at Murray State that Bill met the love of life, JoAnn Humphreys. They married and moved to Granite City, Illinois, to accept teaching positions. Bill was also a football, basketball and track coach.
Two years later, Greg was born, followed by Tamra in two years. It was fourteen years before Robert arrived. His welcomed addition, Bill maintained, was the result of Tamra praying so long for a younger brother.
Meanwhile, Bill had formed a financial services business that became his lifelong profession for which he received an office full of honors and awards. While very active in the Quad Cities business community, Bill was a 32-year member, vice-president, president and perennial Citrus Sales Leader of the Granite City Rotary Club.
Bill and JoAnn traveled in more than 30 countries. And during their retirement years, they spend seven winters in Jupiter, Florida, where Bill worked during spring training for his favorite team, the St. Louis Cardinals.
Living out his Christian faith, Bill served for 43 years as an ordained deacon in the First Baptist and Suburban Baptist churches of Granite City, IL, as well as the First Baptist Church of Maryville, IL. He often asked others about their faith and shared his love for Jesus.
Bill’s heart broke with Tamra’s death in 2011. His heart broke again two and half years ago, when after 68 years of marriage, his cherished JoAnn died, only a year after moving to Fishers, Indiana, to be near their grandchildren, Noah, Connor and Logan, sons of Rob and Sonia.
Bill and JoAnn were also blessed with three granddaughters: Stephanie, Stacie and Mackenzie; a great granddaughter, Caylin; and four step grandchildren, Ben, Kelly, Amy and Elle, children of Nancy and Greg.
Bill and JoAnn also leave behind many beloved nieces and nephews who have each been important to their lives. Family, faith and fulfillment were the driving forces in Bill H. Terrell’s long life.
In celebration of his life, a visitation will be at Irwin Chapel, 591 Glen Crossing Road in Glen Carbon on Friday, December 13, 2024, from 11 a.m. until time of a funeral service at 1 p.m. with Reverend Dr. Tom Hufty officiating.
He will be laid to rest in the mausoleum at Sunset Hill Memorial Estates in Glen Carbon. Military honors will be accorded. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Maryville and may be accepted at the funeral chapel. www.irwinchapel.com
Irwin Chapel Funeral Home
