William "Bill" L. Dirks

William "Bill" L. Dirks, 78, of Crescent City passed away on Sunday, February 12, 2023 at his residence. He was born on September 23, 1944 in Watseka, a son of William H. and Gertrude (Hartke) Dirks. They preceded him in death along with his sister, Phyllis Friant. Bill married Lonnie Haberkorn on April 2, 1967 in Sheldon.

Surviving are his wife, Lonnie Dirks of Crescent City; one daughter, Lonnette (Herman) Neill of Lafayette, Indiana; one son, Scott (Becky) Dirks of Crescent City; four grandchildren, Amanda Neill of Indianapolis, Mark Neill of Lafayette, Mallary Dirks of Crescent City, and Seth Dirks of Crescent City; one brother, Ken (Brenda) Dirks of Milford; mother-in-law, Ella Haberkorn of Watseka; sister-in-law, Crystal (Paul Hodgen) Reeves of Sandy Springs, Georgia; several nieces and nephews; and his dog, Izzy.

Bill was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Crescent City. He was an active member of the Crescent-Iroquois Fire Department for 55 years where he served as a former Assistant Chief. He also served as a Trustee on the fire department from 1997 to present and was also involved in fighting the Crescent City fire on Father's Day in 1970. He was a member of the Army National Guard. Bill was a member of the Knights of Columbus St. Theresa of Avila. He was a Crescent Township Trustee from 2001 to present. He was a member of the Cissna Park American Legion Post 527. Bill was also a member of Pheasants Forever and Ducks Unlimited. He was a former member of the Watseka Elks Club and Iroquois County Civil Defense. Bill worked as a lineman for Illinois Bell and then retired from AT&T.

Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing, and mushroom hunting. He loved taking country drives with his dog to count the wildlife they encountered. Bill also loved golf cart rides with his wife and their dog all over Crescent City. Bill loved to mow and loved to help others with mowing and even mulching leaves. He helped Al Johnson in Crescent City on Monday mornings with trash pick-up as well as with general town clean-up. Bill always enjoyed attending his grandchildren's sporting events.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at the Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Michael Powell officiating. Burial will follow at the Flesher Cemetery north of Crescent City. Graveside military rites will be handled by the Cissna Park American Legion Post 527.

Memorials may be given to Crescent-Iroquois Fire, St. Joseph Catholic Church in Crescent City, or to Iroquois Memorial Hospice.

Please share a memory of Bill at www.knappfuneralhomes.com.