William Steven Meyer

William Steven Meyer, 75, of Hamel, Illinois, passed away on Friday, January 6, 2023.

He was born January 9, 1947 in St. Louis, Missouri, son of the late Wilbur & Lucille (nee Meyer) Meyer.  He was preceded in death by his parents & his daughter Jennifer Meyer-Ashauer.  He is survived by his wife of 55 years – Amy (Pohlmann) Meyer;  daughter Julie (Aaron) Fish & daughter Billie (Guy) Robinson;  six grandchildren -  Ethan, Morgan, & Peyton Ashauer, Meila & Willow Robinson, & Gabriel Fish;  a sister – Sue (Larry) Torbeck;  many nieces, nephews, & cousins also survive.

 He was baptized, confirmed, & married at St. Paul Lutheran Church, attended St. Paul Lutheran Elementary School, & graduated from Edwardsville High School.  He met his wife, Amy, at a church youth gathering and they were married in June 1967.

Bill was drafted into the U.S. Army in June 1966 & completed one tour of duty in Vietnam.  During this time, he selflessly defended his fellow soldiers and country as a door gunner on a Huey helicopter with the 195th Assault Helicopter Company, the “Thunder Chickens” Gun Platoon.  He was proud to serve his country and continued to support the military and the USA throughout his lifetime.  Bill stayed in touch with his military comrades and enjoyed annual Special Operations Association events.

Upon returning from the Vietnam War, Bill began to work with his father selling insurance and real estate.  He became a Certified Insurance Counselor.  He enjoyed building a home and family with Amy.  His interests were expansive and varied from tractor pulling, camping, boating, cars, & attending school events with his children and grandchildren, to business and community service.  For nearly 50 years, he enjoyed trips to Wisconsin during the winter months for snowmobiling with family and friends.  More recently, he especially enjoyed sharing his loves with his grandchildren and experiencing all they loved as well.

During his lifetime, Bill strived to improve Hamel and the surrounding communities by serving in various positions, boards, and committees, including, but not limited to:  Hamel Police Chief, Hamel Village Board Member, Mayor of Hamel, and Madison County Board Member District 3.  He served as an Elder at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hamel, IL.  He was the Secretary/Treasurer of Hamel Mutual Insurance Company and President of W.S. Meyer & Associates Inc.  He served as an Illinois Association of Mutual Insurance Companies Board Member & Hamel State Bank/First National Bank of Staunton Board of Directors Member.  He was also a dedicated member of the Special Operations Association for Vietnam Veterans.  

Bill will be remembered as a devoted and loving husband, father, & grandfather, a loyal friend, a community servant, and a lifelong Christian.

A memorial service will be held at 10 AM on Monday, January 16, 2023 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hamel, Illinois.  There will be no visitation prior to the service.  The church will open for seating at 9 AM & the memorial service will begin promptly at 10 AM.  Live Stream will be available on St. Paul Lutheran Hamel Facebook page & @stpaulhamel.org.  Family & friends are welcome to stay for a luncheon following the service in the school gymnasium.  Per Bill’s request, interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests consideration of one of the following memorials –  St. Paul Lutheran School (supporting facility maintenance at his childhood school) or the George C. Morten Special Operations Association Scholarship Fund (which awards scholarships to children, grandchildren, & great-grandchildren of military personnel who are SOA members or persons KIA and/or MIA).  Memorials may be mailed to Williamson Funeral Home, 108 W. Henry St., Staunton, IL  62088.  Checks should be made out to “St. Paul Lutheran School” or to “SOA Scholarship Fund”.

Lesicko Funeral Home in Livingston, IL & Williamson Funeral Home, Staunton, IL are in charge of arrangements.  To order flowers or leave an on-line condolence, please visit either website at www.lesickofuneralhome.com or www.williamsonfh.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William Steven Meyer, please visit our floral store.