William R. Zbinden, 86, of Cropsey and formerly of Cissna Park passed away at BroMenn Medical Center in Normal on December 12, 2024 with his wife of 64 years, Corinne, by his side.
Bill was born March 19, 1938 to Joe E. and Marian (Alt) Zbinden and grew up in Cissna Park, IL. He was the eldest of three children, Sidney (Sonia of Morton) and Alta Kay (Ron) Kaufman of Peoria. He married Corinne Roth of Fairbury on June 12, 1960. She nursed him through several operations and physical problems. They have two children, Boyd (Iman) Zbinden of San Diego, CA and Anna Jill (Brent) Douthit of Noblesville, IN; four grandchildren, Layla Zbinden, Sammy Zbinden, Jessica (JC) Douthit, John (Jack) Douthit II, and a great-grandson, Dante Zbinden.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Sidney.
After graduation from Cissna Park High School, he earned a BS from Illinois State University, an MS and Doctorate Degrees from the University of Illinois in special education and educational administration. His 36-year career was spent teaching, teacher preparation and administration, serving the handicapped. He was honored by President Jimmy Carter to be invited to The White House swearing-in ceremony for the first Secretary of Education.
Bill recognized his need for a Savior and accepted Jesus’s sacrificial death on the cross for his sins. He loved the Bible and used it as his guide for life. Emanuel Gudeman was his mentor and model. He was a frugal but generous man who spent little on himself. He taught Sunday School and supported various churches, seminaries and missionaries. His mottos were: “It’s not what you got but what you do with it.” and “Do it now.” He was interested in aesthetics and cleaning up his neighborhood. His retirement years were spent tearing down or rehabbing abandoned houses in Cropsey, IL.
Visitation will be held at 9:00 am and funeral at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 21, 2024 at Knapp Funeral Home in Cissna Park, IL. Burial will follow at the Cissna Park Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the Cissna Park Education Fund, Christian Bible Church, or Cissna Park Cemetery.
Please share a memory of Bill at www.knappfuneralhomes.com.
