Dewitt Obits

William Eugene Pontious of Monticello

William Eugene Pontious, age 56, Monticello, passed away March 11, 2013 at 4:55 a.m. at Carle Hospital, surrounded by his family.

Visitation will be Friday, March 15th, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m . at Mackey-Wright Funeral Home in Monticello. Funeral services will be Saturday, March 16th, at 10:30 a.m. at The United Methodist Church of Monticello. Interment will immediately follow at the Monticello Township Cemetery.

Bill was born April 2, 1956 in Urbana, one of four children, to Richard William Pontious and Imogene (Jones).

Surviving are his mother Imogene (Al) Gustafson of Monticello; wife Melissa (Sawlaw) of Monticello; children Melissa (Travis) Waller, Elise, and William of Monticello; grandchildren Ethan and Caden Waller of Monticello; brother Richard (Nancee) Pontious of White Heath; sister Diana (Victor) Orberson of White Heath; and brother Dennis Pontious of White Heath.

Bill was preceded in death by his father, beloved son Richard, and Shania, his treasured four-legged companion of many years.

Bill was a lifelong resident of central Illinois and an enthusiastic promoter of the Monticello area as an owner of the Pontious U-PIK Farm and a real estate and construction site developer.

Bill always put his family first and recently spent countless weekends travelling the country to his children’s sporting events.

Bill was also dedicated to his employees, young people, people in need, and animals. He gave second and third chances to people who wanted to work. He and his family hosted numerous foreign exchange students. He helped organize and deliver truckloads of supplies to victims of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana. And, as friends smilingly recall, was rarely seen on a job site without his devoted dogs.

Memorial donations may be made to a children’s college fund, in care of Melissa Pontious, at Central Illinois Bank in Monticello.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.mackey-wrightfuneralhome.com.

Obituary written by family members.