William J. McGinn Sr.

DANVILLE, Ill. – William J. McGinn Sr., 74, of Georgetown, formerly of Wakefield, Mich., died Monday, Nov. 28, 2011, in Danville, with his family at his side.

He was born on June 17, 1937, in St Paul, Minn., son of the late William J. and Elizabeth (Anderson) McGinn.

On Nov. 19, 1960, William married Mary Josephine Monti at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wakefield. They made their home in Wakefield and were blessed with five children. Mary Jo died on Aug. 15, 1986.

On March 28, 1992, he married Gwen Llewellyn Kilbury at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Thomasboro, Ill.

In earlier years, William was employed by the Gogebic County Road Commission. He was a volunteer fireman for the city of Wakefield, coached Wakefield Little League, and was commander of the Wakefield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9084 from 1979 to 1981.

William was an auto mechanic instructor in the U.S. Air Force. He served in the U.S. Air Force in Korea and Vietnam, and retired after 20 years as a master sergeant.

He was a member of the Georgetown Lions Club, a life member of the Danville VFW, and a Master Mason.

William is survived by his wife, Gwen "Vicky," Georgetown; four children, Carol Ann (Tiger) Paynter, Wakefield, Mary Elizabeth (Mark) Wanke, Rantoul, William J. (Ellie) McGinn, Great Falls, Mont., and Scott Raymond (Kellie) McGinn, Potomac; three stepsons, Roger, Craig and Chris Carrigan; 12 grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; three brothers, John, Donald and Patrick; a sister, Katherine Dunigan; his sister-in-law, Barbara Blodgett; two brothers-in-law, Raymond and George Monti; many nieces and nephews; and other loving relatives.

Besides his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Debra Marie, on Nov. 27, 1975; his son-in-law, William Sordahl, on Feb 20, 1994; and a brother, Leonard, on April 13, 2011.

Visitation will be Saturday, Dec. 10, from 9 to 11 a.m., with the honor guard beginning at 10:15 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wakefield, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Allan J. Mayotte officiating.

Following the Mass, military honors will take place at the church under the auspices of American Legion Geroux Post 11 and the VFW Post 9084.

A lunch will be served in the church hall following the military rites.

Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery.

Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., Wakefield, is assisting the family. Your condolences may be shared with the family at: lakesidememorialchapel.com.