William C. Botts

William C. Botts, 83, Woodstock, died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018, at Centegra Hospital-Huntley with his family by his side.

He was born April 16, 1934, to Bernice (Lembcke) Botts in Woodstock.

On Oct. 23, 1958, he married his high school sweetheart, Marlene Elizabeth Schroeder, at Grace Lutheran Church in Woodstock.

He served in the U.S. Army’s 5th Division in Munich, Germany, from 1954 to 1956. He was a member of the rifle team that finished first in the NATO games held in Cologne, Germany, in 1955.

A 1953 graduate of  Woodstock High School, he enjoyed following Blue Streaks sports, especially the two football state championships they won in 1983 (4A) and 1997 (5A). He was an avid fan of Chicago’s Blackhawks, Bears, and Bulls, but most of  all the White Sox since 1950. His family was also big NASCAR fans, traveling to some of the big tracks, and he took them to the West Coast many times to enjoy the great scenic national parks and California’s southern and central Pacific coast. He and his wife toured nine countries in Europe in 1987 and went on many cruises. His wife was the love of his life and his co-pilot in their travels. He loved photography and going to the movies. He had a special love for his flower gardens, lawn and home.

He retired in 1998 from Union Special Corp., Huntley, with 45 years as a machinist and spray painter.

He was a lifetime member of Woodstock VFW Post 5040. In 1969 he helped start and coached the Woodstock girls softball fast-pitch league with just 42 girls, 9 to 12 years old, and eventually started and coached a women’s traveling league.

Survivors include his wife; three children, Cyndi (Ken) Kramer, Rick (Sue) Botts, and Debby (Joe) Hoeflich; a granddaughter, Elizabeth Kramer; two sisters, Dorothy Potoczky and Joan Struck; three sisters-in-law, Pat Botts, Vivian Botts, and Lois Schroeder; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother; three brothers, Don, Larry, and Jack Botts; sisters-in-law, Rita Schroeder and Jolenta Botts; four brothers-in-law, John Potoczky, Jerry Struck, Don Schroeder and Burt Schroeder; and a nephew, John Robert Potoczky Jr.

Visitation and funeral were Feb. 26 at Grace Lutheran Church, Woodstock. Interment was in McHenry County Memorial Park Cemetery, Woodstock.

Memorial contributions can be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 1300 Kishwaukee Valley Road, Woodstock, IL 60098; or the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District.

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