William G Drews

William G. Drews, 78 of Danville, Illinois, died at 5:55 AM on Friday (August 30,2024) at the VA Illiana Healthcare System, Independence Building Hospice Unit in Danville, Illinois from a brief illness with cancer.

Bill was born October 25, 1945, to Wilbur H. and Ellen I. (Clutter) Drews. Surviving him is his brother, John Drews (Bill Meinweiser), and many cousins in Danville, and other areas of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Arkansas, Florida, Pennsylvania and New York. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, maternal and paternal grandparents, all his aunts, uncles and several cousins. Bill married, and later divorced Jackie Wheeler.

Bill went to Douglas Grade School, and Danville High School. He then joined the Army during the Vietnam era, and received his GED after his Army service was completed. Early in his career, Bill was a professional golfer and was the Golf Pro in various country clubs around Chicago, Illinois, Knoxville, Tennessee, Atlanta, Georgia and locally at Elk’s Club, Danville Country Club, Vermilion Hills Country Club and the course on the VA grounds. Later he went to work at the VA Hospital. He had also been a bartender at the Black Cat, Conner’s Restaurants, American Legion Post 210, VFW Post 728, and Freddy’s and other locations in Westville, IL.

Bill had a very outgoing personality and made many friends over the years. His sports interests beyond golf were Hunting and Fishing. He also loved to ride Harley-Davidson and Yamaha motorcycles. When the 9/11 Memorial was dedicated, he and his biker friends rode cross-country roundtrip from Danville to New York. He proudly flew the American flag over his license plate: DREWSEY. Other than his motorcycles, Bill usually drove pick-up trucks. When he could no longer easily get in and out of his pick-up truck or ride his motorcycle, he drove what he proudly called his “Old Man Mini-Van”, which was low enough for him to get in and out of and had plenty of cargo space for his fishing poles and gear. He would take his lady friends and neighbors shopping for groceries, to the new casino and other places to play slots in Danville, Tilton, and Westville.

Bill will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

John extends his gratitude to everyone who took such good care of Bill in the Hospice Unit, especially Bill’s CLC SW Jennifer Skimehorn, for everything she did for John and Bill during their most difficult time.

Memorial Services will be on Friday, September 13, 2024, at 1:00 PM CDT at the Danville National Cemetery Committal Shelter, 1900 E Main St, Danville, IL. Full Military Honors will be provided for Bill by the American Legion Post 210.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Veteran’s Chaplin Services, VA Illiana Healthcare System, 1900 E Main St, Danville IL 61832, which provides for the needs of Hospitalized and Nursing Care bound veterans, the American Legion Post 210, Danville and the VFW Post 728 Danville.

Rortvedt Funeral Services and Crematory, 3 S Hodge St, Tilton assisted the family with final arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William G Drews, please visit our floral store.