William "Bill" Oliver

William "Bill" Oliver, 71, of Palestine, IL, died September 23, 2021, at Miller's Merry Manor in Sullivan, IN. He was born July 10, 1950, in Evansville, IN, the son of Ivan & Lois (Thatcher) Oliver, both of whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Terry Oliver and by his sister, Ramona Nash. He is survived by his daughters & sons-in-law, Karyn & Phillip Bailey (Sullivan, IN) and Kelli & Michael Kamplain (Flat Rock, IL); by his grandson, Mason Correll; by his sister, Paula Sanders (Hutsonville, IL); as well as several nieces and nephews. Bill grew up in the West York area and was a 1968 graduate of Hutsonville High School. He would go on to proudly serve his country as a radioman on the U.S.S. Hepburn during the Vietnam War. His joining the Navy came as a surprise, considering that he was prone to motion sickness and didn't know how to swim! Following his honorable discharge, he lived in Aurora, IL, for a year before moving back home. Eventually, he got a job at Victor Dana and worked his way up to become a cost analyst in the engineering department before retiring in 2014 after 36 years of service. Away from work, Bill did everything he could to provide his girls with a wonderful childhood. They spent many an evening outside playing catch, and he was privileged to coach their summer softball team too. His passion for baseball also manifested itself in his following the St. Louis Cardinals. He rooted for his beloved "Redbirds" for most of his adult life and was even able to catch a few games at Busch Stadium as well! Time at home often found this handyman working on a project. Never one to let dust settle, Bill was always doing something around the house or in his shop, where he enjoyed expressing his creative side by woodworking. He also kept a garden for many years, which afforded him a well-earned sense of satisfaction. An avid outdoorsman, he valued the peace and tranquility that only fishing can provide a soul. In the twilight of his life, his grandson, Mason, became his fishing buddy, which made time on the water all the more special. Those he leaves behind will remember Bill with high regard. After all, he was a man who always tried to do what was right, no matter the circumstance. The result was excellence in all things. His family, in particular, benefitted from how he lived his life. He was so proud of who his daughters had become and excited to see his grandson develop into a person of character. Who was Bill Oliver, if not a man of character? We are better for having known him and will hold him in our hearts for as long as we live. A time of visitation will be held from 12:00-2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 30th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine. Funeral services will immediately follow and be held at 2:00 p.m on Thursday, with Celebrant Curt Goodwine officiating. During the service, family and friends will have the opportunity to share memories of this beloved man. A live stream of the service will be available on Goodwine Funeral Homes' Facebook page or by going to https://www.goodwinefuneralhomes.com/live-stream/live-stream . Burial will be held in the Oak Grove Cemetery, where military rites will be accorded by the combined units of the U.S. Navy, the Robinson V.F.W. Post #4549, the Robinson American Legion Post #69, and the Flat Rock American Legion Post #132. Memorials may be made to either the "Palestine AMVETS Post #33" or to the "Wounded Warrior Project", with envelopes available at the funeral home.