William Ilch

William (Bill) Ilch, 71, died on March 15, 2026, at his home in Lake St. Louis, MO, following a long battle with Parkinson Disease.

Bill was born in Alton, IL and graduated from Alton High, Lewis and Clark Community College, Illinois College, and Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine.

Bill married Jerie Jayne on June 13, 1981. They were married 44 years.

Bill was a dentist in Virden, IL for 23 years where he was known for gentleness, kindness, attention to detail and being very good with children. A Parkinson Disease diagnosis in 2000, resulted in an early retirement. He moved to the Colorado mountains where he enjoyed hiking, skiing, fishing, golfing and camping. He served as an administrator at a Christian school, where he also taught science. He volunteered at a crisis pregnancy center where he developed a program for men.

In 2018 he moved to Missouri to be closer to his family. A life-long ping pong player, he joined the Lake St. Louis Community Association Ping Pong Club the first week after moving.

All his adult life, Bill served in whatever church he attended. He preached, taught Bible studies, and discipled young men. From 1991 to 2017, Bill travelled to several Central and South American countries and India as part of a dental missionary team, using dentistry to spread the Gospel.

He was preceded in death by his brother David Ilch (Virginia), and sister Addie McGhee (Jim).

He is survived by his wife Jerie; two nephews, Cory (Julie) Gallivan and Joshua (Carmen) Ilch; and two nieces; Pam Kasten (Mike), and Paula (Brian) Gebelein; several great nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Life will be held April 19 at 1 p.m. at the Lake St. Louis Community Center, 100 Cognac Court, Lake St. Louis.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to the American Parkinson Disease Association apdaparksinson.org or the Michael J. Fox Foundation (michaeljfox.org).

The family wishes to thank Heartland Hospice for the excellent care during his extended time of illness.