Services Friday, Saturday
William Joseph Igoe, of Elmhurst, died on Sept. 10 at the age of 97. Born July 9, 1925 to William and Mary (McKeon) Igoe in Chicago, Bill was the youngest of five children. He graduated from Austin High School in 1943. In his high school yearbook, he declared his ambition to be “Happy, Healthy, Hungry.” He spent the next 80 years being just that. He was known for his loyal friendship, good nature, and an uncanny ability to find a good bakery wherever he went.
During World War II, Bill served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as an airplane mechanic in the China-Burma-India Theater. His military service literally took him around the world. By the time he returned home to Chicago, he’d seen the Great Pyramids and the Taj Mahal.
He married Phyllis Levell in July 1946. Their married life started in a post-war housing project in Oak Park’s Longfellow Park before moving to Elmhurst in 1954. They raised four sons and shared life for 72 years until Phyllis’s death in 2018.
Bill spent his career working as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service. He became part of the Oak Park neighborhood where he worked “Route 40.” Prior to starting at the USPS, he did track maintenance as a “gandy dancer” for Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. He also worked part-time jobs; first at Haney’s Standard Station in Oak Park and then, driving a bulk mail truck for Hartwig Transit.
In his free time, Bill enjoyed golfing – a hobby he’d learned from his brother Pete as a teenager. A lifelong learner, he spent his retirement developing clarinet skills and perpetually learning a new language with the help of the Berlitz Self-Teacher book series. He and Phyllis figure-skated together, traveled around the U.S. camping and visiting family and friends, and made several trips to England. However, Bill was always happiest at home. He made a mean garlic cheese dip for family gatherings and could often be found helping out the neighbors.
Bill is survived by sons William (Janis), Peter (Mary), Matthew (Linda), and Brian (Anna); eight grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces. Preceded in death by his parents, wife Phyllis, and siblings. The family thanks Bill’s son Matt and Alternative Home Care – especially Tess and Luis – for all they did to keep Dad/Grandpa comfortable in his own home for so long.
Visitation will be at Elmhurst Community Funeral Home on Friday, Sept.16 from 4 – 8 p.m. – The Ahlgrim Chapel, 567 South Spring Road in Elmhurst. Funeral service at The Ahlgrim Chapel, Saturday, Sept. 17 at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Elmhurst. For info, 630-834-3515 or www.elmhurstfh.com.
