Seymour, IL – William Howard “Bill” Herriott, 86, entered eternal rest on Christmas morning, Monday, December 25, 2017. Born on August 3, 1931 in Champaign County to Harold and Gretchen Herriott, Bill began playing the piano at the age of eight. Two years later his parents bought him the grand piano he continued to play at home. As a pianist, Bill played at numerous dinner clubs, weddings, funerals, and events. He served as the organist for the First Baptist Church of Mahomet for decades.
Bill graduated from the University of Illinois in 1953 with a B.S. in Agriculture. As a member of ROTC upon graduation he was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force where he served as an air traffic control radar operator during the Korean war until 1955. After his military service, he came home to farm with his father and brother on the family farm and to perform professionally as a pianist.
Bill farmed corn and soybeans for 61 years also raising Landrace hogs from Denmark. He was the President of the Illinois Landrace Association for several years during the 80s, showed and sold pigs at fairs and events globally, and was a 4-H leader. Bill also raised Collie puppies; he loved animals. Bill trained and earned his private pilot license in the 60s, flying out of the family airstrip which he named “Oink Acres.” Bill was on the Mahomet-Seymour School Board for 16 years. Bill loved his family with all his heart and enjoyed keeping up with his children and grandchildren’s activities.
Bill was married to Barbara (nee Walker) for 49 years and together they loved and raised four sons. He is survived by their sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren: Brian (Allison) (children Louisa and Madeleine) of Cincinnati, OH; Billy of Seymour; and Ben (Laura) (children Evan and Ella) of Champaign. Their third son, Brad (Nathalie), preceded his father in death by two weeks (children Daniela, Kaeli, Dania, and Will).
He is also survived by Joan Bedel (nee Jones) of Champaign, the mother of his three children: son Craig (Cindi) Herriott of Fallbrook, CA (children Alison, Jason, Steven, Sean) and daughters Laura Herriott-Baylor (Andy) of Champaign and Linda Herriott (Joe) Irle of Thomasboro (children Sarah, Zach, Katie, Jenny). Bill is also survived by a brother; Robert, Mansfield. Bill had ten great-grandchildren, two nieces, and many cousins who loved and will miss him.
The funeral will be Friday, December 29th at 10:30am at the First Baptist Church, 402 S. Elm, Mahomet, IL 61853.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the William Herriott Memorial Fund through First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust 502 E Oak St, Mahomet, IL 61853.
