Cyril “Bill” W. Butts Obituary, GALESBURG, Ill. — Cyril William “Bill” Butts, Jr., 72, of Galesburg, Illinois, passed away on September 2, 2026, from complications of pancreatic cancer. A lifelong resident of Galesburg, Bill was remembered for a life devoted to public service, community involvement, music, family and his hometown.
Bill was born June 8, 1954, in Galesburg, the son of Cyril William Butts, Sr., and Anna Rose Weech Butts. He attended St. Joseph’s Academy and Costa High School before graduating from Galesburg High School in 1972. He later attended the University of Idaho, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and Economics, graduating Cum Laude in 1976. He went on to earn his Juris Doctor from St. Louis University Law School in 1979.
Bill built a career 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 worked as an Assistant Public Defender for Knox County, handling juvenile and criminal matters as well as mental health cases. For many years, he served as a Commissioner with the Galesburg Board of Election Commission.
His commitment to the community extended across numerous organizations and boards. Bill served with groups including the Knox-Galesburg Symphony, Noon Rotary Club, Knox County Health Department, Galesburg Historical Society, Knox County Board, Galesburg Sanitary District, Catholic Social Services, American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, Prairieland Hospice Foundation, OSF Home Health Care and Hospice, and the Knox County Democratic Central Committee. He was also involved with the Western Illinois Police Training Instructor program, Tourism Council, Galesburg Junior Hardball League and several other community organizations.
Music was another important part of Bill’s life. A prolific trumpet player, he performed with a local jazz band and was featured in CBS Sunday Morning’s Memorial Day Taps Across America. He was a member of the Rootabaga Jammers and played jazz with Dave Hoffman and friends. His musical involvement also included the Galesburg Community Chorus, Monmouth College Symphonic Concert Band, Monmouth Municipal Band, Galesburg’s Tuba Christmas, Western Illinois Wind Band, Galesburg Regional Concert Band and Knoxville Community Summer Band.
Bill was a member of Corpus Christi Church, where he sang in the choir, and was a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Beyond his professional and community commitments, he enjoyed sports, particularly following the Chicago Cubs, Bears and Blackhawks, and attended many games with family and friends. His love of travel also took him to destinations around the world, including China, Europe and Africa.
Bill 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, Maine, and Bridget Badesch (Roger) of Chicago; his children, Billy of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Anna (Andy) Whitmer of Cleveland, Ohio, and Brian of Galesburg; granddaughter Nora; stepchildren Krissy Korenberg of Clear Lake, Iowa, and Katherine Loveland of Newark, New Jersey; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cyril William and Anna Rose, and his brother Robert “Bobby.”
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory in Galesburg, with the rosary prayed at 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, with Father Jeffrey Stirniman celebrating the Mass. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Diocese of Bukoba, the home diocese of Father Deus in Tanzania. Bill’s life of service, music, friendship, curiosity and dedication to Galesburg will remain part of the community he served for so many years.
