William E. “Bill” Blagg, Sr., 88 (pictured at right from the 1946 Spy), of Winthrop Harbor, IL passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 20, 2016 at home with loving family by his side.

He was born June 10, 1928 in Mitchellville, IA and moved to Pleasant Prairie, WI where he attended Dublin Elementary School.  Bill was a graduate of Bradford High School in Kenosha where he met the love of his life, Marilyn Jean Richie.  Bill married Marilyn on February 26, 1948 and resided in Kenosha until 1955 upon which time they moved to Winthrop Harbor where Bill built their first home and where he resided for 61 years.  He attended night classes at the Milwaukee School of Engineering while working full time and raising a family of four with his wife.

Bill was a volunteer firefighter with the Winthrop Harbor Fire Department for 29 years and served as Fire Chief from 1971 to 1974.  He was a Charter Member of the Winthrop Harbor Lions Club where he was a Melvin Jones award recipient.  He also served on the Planning Commission for North Point Marina.  In 2011 he was awarded “Life Member” of the Loyal Order of The Moose of Zion for his 50 years of service.  He owned and operated Blagg Heating and Sheet Metal for 31 years in Winthrop Harbor.  Bill was the type of person who would see a “need” and “wanted” to help anyone and any cause.

He was a self-taught, masterfully skilled woodworker and loved building anything for anyone.  His largest project to date was when he built a quarter mile nature trail in Winthrop Harbor for all families to enjoy.  Winthrop Harbor officials held a special dedication honoring Bill and naming the trail “The William Blagg Nature Trail.”

Bill will be deeply loved and missed by his four children Shirley K. (William) Taft, William E. (Debra) Blagg, Jr., Robert W. (Debra) Blagg, Sr., and Lorri Waters; grandchildren Heather M. Taft, Tanya M. (James) McKnight, Teria L. Blagg, William E. (Kristin) Blagg III, William J. (Rachel) Taft, Robert W. Blagg, Jr., Brandi J. Waters, and Lisa R. Blagg; eleven great-grandchildren, all of whom he deeply loved and adored; siblings Harold Blagg, Patricia Johnson, and Larry Blagg; along with a host of nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his loving wife, Marilyn; infant daughter, Mary; parents, Mary and Charles “Ernie” Blagg; brothers Thomas E. Blagg, Sr. and Darrell J. Blagg; and a nephew, Thomas E. Blagg, Jr.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 1, 2016, from 4:00PM until 7:00PM at the Congdon Funeral Home (3012 Sheridan Road, Zion, IL), followed by a memorial service at 7:00PM at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Winthrop Harbor Fire Department would be appreciated in Bill’s honor.