Bill Fleming
William Robert Fleming (Bill) was received into the arms of his Lord and Savior, June 18, 2026. He leaves behind a family he deeply loved a church family he served and worshiped with, and an entire community of people he loved and worked with, in hopes of keeping his hometown of Atwood a beautiful place to live and raise a family, just like he did.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, June 28 at 3:00 pm at his home church, First Baptist Church of Atwood, 231 North Illinois Street, Atwood, IL. A time of visitation will be held Saturday, June 27 from 2:00-5:00 pm at the church.
Bill was born April 13, 1960, son of Robert George Fleming and Carolyn Wilkerson Fleming. He was 66 years old. He has one brother, Randy Fleming of Utah. He was a life-long resident of Atwood IL., where he and his wife Shari Hausmann Fleming, of almost 46 years, raised their family. They married August 8, 1980. They were blessed with two amazing sons Robert “David” Fleming, (Cara Pratt Fleming) and William “Mitchell” Fleming (Lesley Suding Fleming). Their family was complete with five grandchildren, who called him Papaw. Carter, Avery, Emma, Cooper and Caroline. Make no mistake, they were the joy of his life, and he took every opportunity to spoil them as much as possible including family vacations to Disney and Seaside beach, FL where they made some of their best memories together.
Bill graduated from Atwood-Hammond High School in 1978 and worked at the local grocery store. In 1980 he began a long and successful career with Central IL Light Company, which later became Ameren Corporation until he retired in 2022 as Supervisor of Gas Operations in Tuscola IL. He loved and appreciated his years at CILCO/Ameren and still maintains friendships and contacts with those he worked with.
After retirement, Bill began a new chapter as Mayor (Village President) of his hometown Atwood. He had a vision for his community and the determination and ambition to complete those plans. He was the guy who loved to have a project or two always in the works, and he greatly appreciated the hard work and dedication of those around him who helped bring those plans and projects to completion. He admired the Village Board members he worked with, felt great pride with the work they completed together, and appreciated their time and dedication while doing so. He also enjoyed his daily visit(s) to the local Casey’s for his Diet Coke and Chocolate Chip Cookies. It was not uncommon to see him with a Casey’s cup in his car, driving around in his gold Impala, checking in on the latest city project, or working on a ball diamond at the park.
He had a heart for his community, and it was an absolute joy for him to have this opportunity to serve as Mayor.
Bill served on various community clubs and boards over the past several years including Atwood Lions Club, Tuscola American Business Club, Atwood Economic Development Corp., Atwood Village Board member, Atwood-Hammond School Board, A-H Music Boosters, A-H Sports Boosters, Atwood-Hammond Little League Program, Atwood Chamber of Commerce and was deeply involved in the Atwood-Hammond Christmas Needy Fund.
Bill was also a life-long dedicated and devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Atwood, where he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal savior as a teenager. He served his church faithfully as a Deacon, Moderator, Trustee and Elder and was the worship leader for 42 years. There are numerous additions to this list that Bill “just did” for the love of his church and his church family. He could always be found working and serving in any capacity to be a blessing and helpful to those around him.
It is clear to those who knew him well, Bill Fleming was a worker and a doer with a vision and was devoted to serve others. He was not an emotional guy but he loved big, his community, his church and most of all his family and His Lord and Savior. He made the very most of his time here on earth and we will all feel the emptiness his passing has left behind. But his vision and his legacy will move forward and will not be forgotten. Our life here on earth is temporary and sometimes brief but our life with Jesus Christ is eternal. God has a plan and we believe and have faith in Him that this was His plan for Bill Fleming.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church of Atwood.
Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, Atwood, IL is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences may be shared via hilligossshraderfh.com
