William R. Manuel, 81, Mansfield, passed away at 9 p.m. Tuesday (Nov. 27, 2012) at Champaign Urbana Regional Rehab Center, Savoy.

His funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Mansfield United Methodist Church, Mansfield, with the Rev. Sharon Monroe officiating. Burial will be at Mansfield Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the church. Memorials may be made to Mansfield United Methodist Church or Northern Piatt County Fire Protection District. Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home, Mansfield, is in charge of arrangements.

William was born Sept. 13, 1931, in rural Mansfield, a son of Raleigh E. and Katherine J. Pittenger Manuel. He married Velma J. Gawthorp on Nov. 19, 1950, at Mansfield United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Velma J. Manuel, Mansfield; children, William M. Manuel, Mindy (John) Sherrick and Marlin (Christine) Manuel; and daughter-in-law, Stephanie Manuel, all of Mansfield; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Marc E. Manuel.

William had worked at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine for 35 years before retiring. He was a member of the Mansfield United Methodist Church, member of the Mansfield Lions Club, former volunteer fireman for the Mansfield Fire Department and had served on the Mansfield School Board and Mansfield Village Board.