William "Bill" Jennings Van Meter Jr.

William “Bill” Jennings Van Meter, Jr. , previously of Savanna, IL, passed away Sunday, July 14, 2019 in Belvidere, IL. A funeral service will be held at 11 am Thursday, July 18, 2019 at Law Jones Funeral Home in Savanna, IL. A visitation will be held from 9 am to 11 am, Thursday, prior to the service. Burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Sabula, IA. A memorial fund has been established in Bill’s name.

Bill was born September 20, 1945, in Brooklyn, NY, the son of William Jennings Van Meter, Sr. and Adrianne “Ann” Doris Reeder. After graduating Nanuet Senior High School in NY, Bill honorably served four years in the United States Marine Corps and studied at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Bill’s trade as a tooling engineer kept the family moving throughout the Midwest: Savanna, Clinton, Indianapolis, Carthage and Rockford. Bill retired from Chemtech Plastics, Inc. in Elgin Illinois after being employed for several years.

Bill was a natural athlete with numerous league trophies in billiards, bowling, and golf. His tireless practice on the driving range, putting greens, and chipping in the house resulted in three hole-in-ones in his lifetime. While already well accomplished, Bill’s greatest achievement has been as a grandparent ---- “we love you papa”.

Bill will be dearly missed by his former wife, Janice Lynn Van Meter of Rockford, their daughter Elizabeth (Michael) Yeast of Chandler, AZ; son Joshua Van Meter of Chicago, IL and Candace Van Meter; one brother, Robert (Bob); four sisters Ethel Ann, Linda, Karen and Debra; three grandchildren, Sofia Lynn Van Meter, Elias Jennings Yeast, and Maddox Robert Yeast.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, and his daughter in law, Karen Van Meter (2017).