William ‘Bill’ Merrit Morefield

William “Bill” Merritt Morefield, Woodstock, died Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, surrounded by loved ones.

He was born July 7, 1937,  to Clarence O. and Dorothy J. (Merritt) Morefield at Michael Reese Hospital, Chicago.

He was a 1956 graduate of Monmouth High School, a graduate of the Galesburg licensed practical nurse program and a licensed nursing home administrator.

He brought his young family to Woodstock in 1969 when he was hired as the administrator for Valley Hi Nursing Home for McHenry County, a position in which he proudly served for 17 years. He was then promoted as the first county administrator for McHenry County, serving in this position for seven years until his retirement in 1993. He then worked as a marketing consultant with Legat Architects of Waukegan for 13 years.

He enjoyed life and people and, throughout his entire time in Woodstock and McHenry County, he served numerous organizations as a member of boards and committees including: Easter Seals of McHenry County, McHenry County College, McHenry County Fair Board, Northern Illinois University and the Woodstock High School Backers Club. In addition, he served on the WHS football “chain gang” for many years served as a timer for WHS wrestling for 25 years, and coached his son in Woodstock Little League.

He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed golfing and bowling. More than anything, he enjoyed attending the various activities of his grandchildren, which included baseball and softball games, band and choir concerts and plays. He also was a huge fan and supporter of his grandson’s band Stockwood/Beatolution, attending hundreds of shows throughout the country.

Survivors include his wife, Judy (Weeks) Morefield; children, Kathryn Blanks, Cindy (Allan) Thomson and Derik Morefield; grandchildren, Christian and Thaddeus Blanks, Amber Thomson and John and Kelsi Morefield; a brother, Gary (Linda) Morefield; a sister, Judy (Denny) Garkey; a brother-in-law, Larry (Joann) Weeks; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A celebration of life service and luncheon will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at the Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church, 8505 Church St., Crystal Lake. The Rev. John Dillon will officiate. The service will be followed immediately by a luncheon in the church’s fellowship hall.

Memorial donations can be made in honor of Hope Fuller and Bill Morefield to the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Attn: Dr. Stewart Goldman, Pediatric Brain Tumor Program, 225 E. Chicago Ave., Box 4, Chicago, IL 60611.

Arrangements were made by Schneider, Luecht, Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home.