William E. "Bill" Woodrum

William E. “Bill” Woodrum, 87, of Swansea, IL, formerly of Mascoutah, IL, born Dec. 3, 1930 in Cincinnati, OH, died Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018 at Memorial Care Center, Belleville, IL.

Bill was proud to have spent four years in the U. S. Air Force at Scott AFB as a classroom instructor, teaching aircraft communication and navigation repair during the Korean War. He was also a service rep for Litton Systems, NY, NY, servicing and repairing all-weather recorders at MAC Command, main hangar and air weather service for 14 years, also at SAFB, IL.

After the Air Force, he worked in TV, radio, and electronics repair and sales in Cincinnati; and for Clint Voland TV in Belleville, IL. In 1974 he opened his own business, Bill Woodrum TV in Mascoutah, IL, from which he retired in 1997. His motto was “If it is plugged in or turned on I could fix it.”

Bill was quite a story and joke teller – always beginning by saying “really, now this is a true story”, if it was or not – sometimes it was, sometimes not.

He was a member of the Mascoutah Evening Lions Club for 45 years; past president of Mascoutah Sportsman’s Club; and member of the American Legion Post 292, Mascoutah, IL. He was an avid hunter and proud fisherman, and boasted about fishing tournaments in 10 states with many good fishermen friends. He also enjoyed playing Euchre, Pinochle, and Rummy. His love for German Shepherds gave him a furry companion while observing the world from his backyard many years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harmon and Marie, nee Rector, Woodrum; he married Doris Haas on May 1, 1952 in Bryan, TX. Doris, who was a devoted wife and caring mother, died Nov. 12, 2012; daughter, Diane Woodrum; son, Mark Woodrum; daughter-in-law, Carol (Spaeth) Woodrum; granddaughter, Heather Woodrum; and his sister, Ina (Bill) Landis.

Bill married Carol J., nee Schuetz, Birk on April 13, 2013, and she survives to cherish his memory along with her children, Steven, David, Jeffrey, and Gregory Birk, and their families, and Dianne Birk. He is also survived by a daughter, Deborah Law of Mascoutah, IL; a son, Bruce Woodrum of Mascoutah, IL; four grandchildren, Dr. Brian Woodrum, Bradley Woodrum, Shawn (Nicolette) Woodrum, and Renee (Chris) Figura; five great-grandchildren, Lincoln, Emma and Gracie Woodrum, Mason and Makenzie Figura; sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many dear friends.

The family wishes to express a heartfelt thank you to the doctors, nurses and patient care techs at Memorial Hospital and Memorial Care Center who showed much compassion and took loving care of Bill during his lengthy stay there. Special thanks to Dr. Raben for many years of listening and caring for him.

In lieu of all other gifts, memorials may be made to the Mascoutah Evening Lions and will be used at their discretion. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mollfuneralhome.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 PM Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018 at the Moll Funeral Home in Mascoutah, IL.

Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 10 AM Friday, Jan. 19, 2018 at Moll Funeral Home in Mascoutah with the Rev. William McGhee officiating. Burial will be in Holy Childhood Catholic Cemetery, Mascoutah, IL.