William Speier

I met Bill apx 1.5 years ago, and we had an instant connection! Naturally my nurturing heart ached as he had explained his health situation. I was blessed and able to be there for Bill on a couple of occasions that I know meant a lot to him and even more to me. We shared a love of dogs! I enjoyed hearing stories about Mary and his family and sure wished I could have known Bill prior to his diagnosis. Sending my prayers to his family and friends! Shelly Doyle

Posted by Shelly Doyle on March 31, 2025

Memories of my brother - Bill Speier. Bill (William Anthony Speier Jr.) was born on November 4, 1949, at home in East Fultonham, Ohio to William Anthony Speier Sr. and Patricia Mickus Speier. He was their first son and third of four children (Patricia, Mary, William and John). He entered grammar school at St. Thomas Aquinas in Zanesville, Ohio. In 1957 the family moved to the southside of Chicago, returning to the neighborhood in which his parents were born and had extended families. He attended parochial schools in Chicago before entering the U.S. Army in 1966. Bill served overseas in Korea before being honorably discharged. He returned to Chicago after his discharge from the Army and worked as a truck driver following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, mechanic and master maintenance man. Anything mechanical was his forte. Following their retirements while living in Dolton, Illinois, Bill and his wife Mary moved to a cottage in Nokomis, IL. Here Mary had a beautiful garden growing vegetables and flowers, made friends and was active in the community while Bill worked on projects. His favorite projects were big. Building by hand a large addition to their home, enlarging a 20x24 ft garage to 24x48 so that he had space for four vehicles or three vehicles and more than enough space for special projects. At the time of his death, from metastatic prostate cancer he had plans to restore an older shiny black Corvette that was in perfect shape externally but the rest need restoration. That was not to be. Bill is survived by his wife, Mary, and four children, William Anthony Speier III (Lynna) and Samantha Lenore Speier from his first marriage Patricia Duffy (deceased) and Daniel John Speier (Beth) and Jennie Marie Speier Leivan (John)) from his marriage to Mary. His sister, Patricia Troth (John) and brother, John S. Speier (Carol) survive him. He was predeceased by his sister Mary Min (Stephen). He leaves grandchildren, nieces and nephews..

Posted by Patricia Speier Troth on March 30, 2025