Cyril "Bill" W. Butts

Cyril William (Bill) Butts, Jr., 72, of Galesburg, IL, passed away September 2, 2026 from complications of pancreatic cancer.

He was born June 8, 1954 in Galesburg, IL the son of Cyril William Butts, Sr., and Anna Rose Weech Butts. He married Kate Loveland on June 5, 1999, she preceded him in death on April 25, 2007. He is survived by his sisters Elizabeth Keller (Greg) of Biddeford, ME and Bridget Badesch {Roger) of Chicago, IL, his children Billy of Chattanooga, TN, Anna (Andy) Whitmer of Cleveland, OH and Brian of Galesburg, IL, one granddaughter Nora and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He had two stepchildren, Krissy Korenberg of Clear Lake, IA and Katherine Loveland of Newark, NJ. He was preceded in death by his parents Cyril William and Anna Rose and his brother Robert “Bobby”.

Bill attended St. Joseph's Academy and Costa High School before graduating from Galesburg High School in 1972. He attended the University of Idaho where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science and Economics, graduating Cum Laude in 1976. He then attended St. Louis University Law School earning his Juris Doctor in 1979.

A lifelong resident of Galesburg, Bill worked for many years as an attorney and dedicated much of his professional life to public service. He served as an Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Transportation, Conservation and Historic Preservation of the State of Illinois. He also served as an Assistant Public Defender for Knox County in Juvenile and Criminal matters and Mental Health Cases. Bill was a Commissioner with the Galesburg Board of Election Commission, where he served for many years.

Bill was very active in the community and served on many boards and organizations throughout his life including; Knox-Galesburg Symphony, Noon Rotary Club, Knox County Health Department, Friends of Knox County Nursing Home, the local chapter of Catholic Social Services, Galesburg Historical Society, Knox County Board, Galesburg Sanitary District Trustee, C.A.R.E., IL Guardianship Assn., Knox County Chapter of the American Cancer Society, Western IL Chapter of American Red Cross, Prairieland Hospice Foundation, OSF Home Health Care and Hospice; Knox County Democratic Central Committee, Western IL Police Training Instructor, Tourism Council and Galesburg Jr. Hardball League.

Bill was a member of Corpus Christi Church and sang in the choir. He was a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus member.

He had a love for music as was evident in his prolific trumpet playing which included performances with a local jazz band and inclusion in one of CBS Sunday Morning's Memorial Day Taps Across America features. Bill was a member of the Rootabaga Jammers and played jazz with Dave Hoffman and friends. He was a member of the Galesburg Community Chorus, Monmouth College Symphonic Concert Band, Monmouth Municipal band, Galesburg's Tuba Christmas, Western IL Wind band, Galesburg Regional Concert Band and the Knoxville Community Summer band.

He had a love of all sports, especially the Chicago Cubs, Bears and the Blackhawks, attending many games with family and friends. This was followed closely by his love of travel which took him to many parts of the world, including China, Europe and Africa to name a few countless destinations.

Bill's life was marked by service, music, friendship, curiosity, and an enduring commitment to his hometown and the people around him.

Visitation will be 5:00- 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg with the rosary being prayed at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. Father Jeffrey Stirniman will celebrate the mass. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Diocese of Bukoba(Home Diocese of Father Deus in Tanzania). Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.