William Wood

MOUNDS, Ill. -- William J. "Bill" Wood, 57, of Mounds passed away Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2010, at Heartland Regional Hospital in Marion, Ill.

He was born July 24, 1953, in Rockford, Ill., son of the late Dupree and Pauline "Polly" Adams Wood.

Bill was a member of First Baptist Church in Mounds, member and serving as commander of Pulaski County Memorial VFW Post 8891 of Mounds, member of Area Veterans Burial Ritual Team, Kim Shrine Club in Cairo, Ill., Ainad Shrine Temple in East St. Louis, Ill., Cairo Masonic Lodge and a former 911 board member of Pulaski County.

He was a member of Mounds Fire Department 19 years and was currently serving as fire chief. While serving with the fire department he worked with the Pulaski County Fair, 15 years serving as a parking attendant. Bill had served as an EMT in Pulaski County, was chief of police of Mound City, Ill., former police officer in Mounds, former city superintendent for city of Mounds and was a former coach with Mounds Little League in Mounds.

Bill was a graduate of Meridian High School in Mounds.

He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War.

Survivors include his wife, Molly Phuenghthongh Wood of Mounds; a daughter, Melissa Wood of Mounds; a son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Candice Wood of Mound City; a brother, Michael Wood of Mounds; three grandchildren, Alexis, Logan and Riley Wood; three nephews, Colt and David Wood and Matt Laws; and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Bob Wood in 1984; and a sister, Charleen Wood in 1995.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Jones Funeral Home in Villa Ridge, Ill. Masonic service will be at 7, conducted by Cairo Masonic Lodge.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Quinton Davis officiating. Full military honors will be conducted by Illinois Army National Guard Honor Detail and area veterans. Interment will be in Mound City National Cemetery in Mound City, with funeral procession being lead by area fire and police departments.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of memorials to donor's favorite charities in memory of Bill Wood.