William "Bill" Jennings, of Granite City, Illinois, formerly of Dixon, was born on October 21, 1934, at Dixon, Missouri, a son of Emmett William and Viola (Null) Jennings, and departed this life at 4:32 p.m., on Monday, August 4, 2014, in the Oliver Anderson Hospital, Maryville, Illinois. Bill had attained the age of 79 years, 9 months, and 14 days.

Bill was united in marriage to his high school sweet heart, the former Fannie M. Roark, on July 2, 1955, at Dixon. They had just celebrated 59 years of marriage. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Pamela Sue Jennings; his father on May 4, 1987; his mother on December 3, 1959; a nephew, Gerald Lieurance; and a great-great niece, Emma Miramontes.

Bill retired in 1992, after 37 years of working for Granite City Steel-Nation Steel, as a production supervisor. He held a commercial pilot license, was a former flight instructor for Belleville Area College, and was former owner of Lakeside Airport. Bill was a prior owner and operator for many years of Laundromats in Granite City, Illinois and Dixon, Missouri. From 1990 until 2005, Bill volunteered his time and talents to the community program "Christmas in April" now referred to as "Rebuilding Together", having served as President and on the Board of Directors. Since his retirement, Bill and Fannie have traveled extensively, visiting all 50 states either from their plane or motorhome.

In addition to being survived by his wife, Fannie, Bill is survived by two brothers, Virgil (Trudy) Jennings, Granite City, Illinois and Clarence (Margaret) Jennings, Richland; a sister-in-law, Judy (Robert) Lieurance, Poplar Bluff; three nephews, Donald Jennings, East Alton, Illinois, Ronald Jennings, Collinsville, Illinois, and Dennis (Nancy) Jennings, Richland; one niece, Brenda (Joe) Rulo, Grafton, Illinois; three great nieces; three great nephews; one great-great niece; and numerous extended family members and wonderful friends.

Graveside funeral services will be conducted for Bill at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, August 7, 2014, in the Dixon Cemetery, with Mr. Lee Ousley, officiating under the direction of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Granite City Breakfast Ministry or the Dewey Avenue United Methodist Church %Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box EE, Dixon, Missouri 65459.