Willard C. “Bill” Hammer, 72, Farmer City, passed away at 4:23 p.m. Saturday (April 14, 2012) at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington surrounded by his family.

Cremation rites will be accorded. A celebration of life is being planned for a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Farmer City Community Fire Protection District or a charity of the donor’s choice.

He was born Feb. 22, 1940, to Jess W. and Zeo Shreve Hammer. He married Kathryn Swartz on Nov. 12, 1957.

He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Hammer; children, Linda Jarboe, Cartersville, Ga.; Laura Hammer, Urbana; Greg (Liane) Hammer, Auburn; and Jess (Kathy) Hammer, Downs; nine grandchildren, Lesa (Ben) Brandt, Brandi Hammer, Jamie Jarboe, Tavelle Hammer, Holly Hammer, Shalika Hammer, Zein Hammer, Lucas Hammer and Jodie Jarboe; brother, Jim (Mary K) Hammer, Farmer City; and sister, Bonnie (Craig) Wright, Farmer City; and he was an uncle to many.   

He retired from and was a president of Labor Local 703 in Urbana. He was a president of the Farmer City Fair Association and was the announcer at the Farmer City Raceway and many area tracks for over 20 years. He was also a volunteer fireman.