Bill Wayne Romans Sr. – O’Donnell-Cookson Life Celebration Home

Bill Wayne Romans, Sr., 82, of Robinson, Illinois, passed away at 9:20 p.m. on Monday, September 2, 2024 at 9:20 p.m. on Monday, September 2, 2024, at Marshall Rehabilitation and Nursing in Marshal, Illinois.

Friends and Family are invited to Bill’s Life Celebration at a visitation that will be Saturday, September 14, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at O’Donnell-Cookson Life Celebration Home in Quincy, Illinois. A funeral service will follow directly at 11:00 a.m. with Dr. Tom Dickerson officiating. Burial will follow at Greenmount Cemetery in Quincy, Illinois with Military Honors by the United States Army National Guard Funeral Honors Detail.

Bill was born May 21, 1942, in Tulare, California, to Frank and Ellen (Gray) Romans. Survivors include two of his three children, Bill W. Romans, Jr. and his wife, Deanna of Quincy, Illinois, and Terri L. (Romans) Blunier and her husband James of Robinson, Illinois; five grandchildren, Courtney (Kyle) Liggett of Quincy, Illinois, Brandon Romans (Kelli Jo Alore) of Arnold, Missouri, Jacob (Molly) Blunier of Midlothian, Virginia, Abbie Blunier of Rochester, Minnesota, and Lucas Blunier of Lafayette, Indiana; and one brother, Jerry Romans and his wife Mark of Temple, Texas.

Billy was preceded in death by his step-father, Bud Norris; one son, Alan Romans; his mother, Ellen (Romans) Norris; his wife, Carol (Broeser) Romans; one brother, Jim Romans; and one sister, Frankie (Romans) Crider.

Bill graduated from Oxnard High School in Oxnard, California in 1960 where he was a member of their elite drill team, The Marching Bees. Upon graduation, he immediately enlisted in the United States Army where he served in France until he was honorably discharged in 1963. During a trip back to the United States with a friend who lived in Louisiana, Missouri in late 1961, he met his soon to be wife Carol on a blind date with his friend and his girlfriend who was in nursing school with Carol. Bill and Carol were married on February 17, 1962, in St. Louis, Missouri. They returned to France until his discharge. Upon returning to the United States, they resided in Quincy, Illinois where Carol was originally from. They were married for 29 years. Bill began his civilian career as an optical technician at Lee Optical in downtown Quincy. He soon found the job that would become his permanent career with NCR where he worked until his retirement.

Even from a young age, Bill was always tinkering with things, trying to “Build a Better Mousetrap” from just different things found around the house. After his retirement, Bill created a machine that re-inked cartridges for large-scale printers in banks and business, which ended up becoming a second career for several years. Many of the neighborhood children even nicknamed him “Mr. Edison”. Bill enjoyed watching the Cubs, Cardinals and Dodgers on television, and when a baseball game wasn’t available, he could be found watching any type of documentary. He also enjoyed playing cards, gambling, and while Carol was still living, they loved taking trips together.

Honorary pallbearers will be Bill’s grandchildren, Courtney Liggett, Brandon Romans, Jacob Blunier, Abbie Blunier, and Lucas Blunier.

Memorial contributions may be made to Oblong Christian Children’s Home, or to the Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospice.

Online condolences may be shared and video tribute may be viewed at www.ODonnellCookson.com.

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