William “Bill” Vernon Harrison, 72, of Pontiac and formerly of Gilman passed away Tuesday, May 7, 2019, surrounded by his family, at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington.
Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 10, 2019 at the Knapp-Redenius Funeral Home in Gilman and 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Gilman. Rev. Pete Hinrich will officiate. Burial will follow at the Gilman Cemetery.
Bill was the older child of the late Wendell Vernon “Sweede” and Geraldine (McNabb) Harrison, and the older brother of the late Ronald Harrison. He was born on January 29, 1947, in Watseka and married his high school sweetheart, Jean Manssen, on September 3, 1966 in Danforth. They celebrated fifty-two years of marriage last September. In addition to his wife, Bill is survived by two children, Wade (Melinda) Harrison of Homewood, Alabama and Wendy (Steve) Haase of Lexington, Illinois. He was known as “Grandpa” to five grandchildren, whom he loved beyond measure: Wyatt and Graham Harrison, and Clayton, Reagan, and Braden Haase. He is also survived by his brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Keith (Jackie) Manssen, Myra Manssen and Linda Scering; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
All who knew Bill knew him as a gifted teacher and a beloved coach and sports enthusiast. After earning both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Illinois State University, Bill taught Math at Gilman High School and Iroquois West High School, retiring in 2003 after a 33-year career of teaching and administration. Bill grew the mathematics program to include advanced mathematics and math contests in order to prepare Gilman-area high school students for college and career. Always one to enjoy working with students in the classroom, Bill also taught math part-time over the years at Kankakee Community College, retiring in 2009. After retirement, his teaching did not cease, as he soon had grandchildren to encourage in their academic pursuits. He was often notified promptly by his grandchildren of accomplishments in the classroom and on Math Team, and more than once was summoned for help with difficult mathematics concepts by his grandchildren as well as nieces and nephews. Bill might have retired from teaching, but he never ceased being a teacher.
In addition to being a master teacher, Bill was also a model coach. During his long teaching career, he coached every sport that involved a ball, including his son’s baseball teams and his daughter’s volleyball teams. Retirement for Bill brought the opportunity to attend as many of his grandchildren’s athletic events as possible, and he never missed an opportunity to constructively critique and lovingly encourage the kids after a game, match, or meet.
Bill was an avid reader, often in the middle of multiple books all at once. He enjoyed gardening, bowling, golf, and watching the White Sox, a team loyalty passed down from his dad. He was an active member for many years in the Gilman Rotary and was of the Lutheran faith.
In addition to being sorely missed by his family, Bill’s passing will surely be sadly felt by the many extended family members, students, athletes, and others whose lives were influenced by his generosity and warm guidance. Memorials in Bill’s memory may be made to a scholarship for potential math teachers attending Kankakee Community College or to a cause of the donor’s choosing.
