William Henry "Billy" Heitzig Jr.
Fieldon | Friday, January 14 2011
William Henry "Billy" Heitzig Jr., 82, died suddenly on Friday, January 14, 2011 at his residence.
He was born on the family farm in Fieldon on March 10, 1938, the son of the late William Henry & Magdalena (Schmieder) Heitzig Sr. Billy enlisted with the U.S. Army and served overseas in Germany for a number of years. After his discharge he returned back to Jersey County where he resumed his lifetime association with farming, and was also employed as a driver for Gorman Brothers Ready Mix in Jerseyville for over 40 years. He was a member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fieldon, Knights of Columbus, and was formerly active with the Elks Lodge, all in Jerseyville, and enjoyed his visits to the Alton Belle Casino.
He married the former Wilma Elizabeth Collins on Feb. 4, 1956 at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Jerseyville and they shared 42 years together before she was tragically killed in an automobile accident along with her sister in law, Phyllis on Oct. 26, 1998. Surviving are a daughter & son in law, Jan & Otho Kinser of Roodhouse; a sister, Angela Hansen of Jerseyville; a sister in law, Essie Heitzig of Fieldon; a brother in law & his wife, John & Frances Bray of Jerseyville; numerous nieces & nephews, including a special nephew & his wife Greg & Linda Heitzig of Fieldon along with a grandpuppy, Sammi Jo of Roodhouse. Preceding him in death were parents, his wife, two brothers, Herbert Heitzig, and Gerald, and his wife Phyllis Heitzig; two brothers in infancy; two sisters, Rita, and her husband, Roman Beiermann and Theresa Bray; and a brother in law, Richard "Dick" Hansen.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. Wednesday until time of funeral Mass at 1 p.m. at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fieldon. Father William Hembrow will officiate.
Burial will be in the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Fieldon where Jerseyville Amerian Legion Post 492 will conduct military graveside rites.
Memorials may be given to the St. Francis/Holy Ghost Catholic Schools of Jerseyville.
Crawford Funeral Home
