William C. Stretton

William C. Stretton, age 82, of Savanna, Illinois, died Monday, July 28, 2008, at the Mercy Medical Center North, Clinton, Iowa. A memorial gathering will be held from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., Sunday, August 3, 2008, at the Savanna Moose Lodge, Savanna. According to his wishes, William will be cremated and his cremated remains will be scattered. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Loon Watch, C/O Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute; Northland College; 1411 Ellis Avenue; Ashland, Wisconsin 54806-3999 or the Carroll County Humane Society; P.O. Box 93; Mount Carroll, Illinois 61053 in William’s memory.

William was born on December 11, 1925, in Oak Park, Illinois, the son of Robert F. and Violet (Burley) Stretton, Sr.. William attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where he played baseball. William served his country in the United States Air Corp at the end of World War II.. He married Anne Marie Janggen on August 14, 1948 in Chicago, Illinois. Anne died on November 29, 2007 in Clinton, Iowa.

William spent his childhood in Oak Park, Illinois; Plymouth, England; County Laois, Ireland; and Williams Bay, Wisconsin. In his younger years, William played baseball for various minor league teams for the White Sox Organization, before beginning his career as a teacher. William taught math at Lyons Township High School in LaGrange, Illinois, before he joined the faculty at the College of Dupage. After retirement he moved to Savanna and enjoyed summers at his cabin in Marcell, Minnesota. He also enjoyed bird watching and hiking.

William is survived by one brother, Robert F. Stretton Jr. of Savanna; three nephews, Robert (Vicki) Stretton III and Mike (Tammy) Stretton, all of Savanna, and Jeff (Sandy) Stretton of McAlester, Oklahoma; a niece Kathleen (John) Eaton of Savanna; three great nephews; and two great-great nieces.

William was preceded in death by his wife, Anne; one sister, Lucy V. Singer; one brother, Harry R. Stretton; and sister-in-law, Martha.