William Paul Manning

CHAMPAIGN – William Paul "Bill" Manning, 76, left this earthly life to meet his Lord and Savior on Thursday (Aug. 4, 2016).

He was born April 15, 1940, in Homer, the son of Wilbur T. and Nora B. (Marlow) Manning. His mother died in a car accident in January 1953, and he was then adopted by Mary L. Manning and his father.

Bill married his high school sweetheart, Janet S. Sanders, on Oct. 17, 1959. They had one son, Jeffrey Todd, on July 1, 1963. He preceded Bill in death on Sept. 17, 2010.

Bill graduated from St. Joseph High School, St. Joseph, on May 27, 1958, and continued his education at Champaign Commercial College. He also attended Parkland College to strengthen his knowledge in accounting and was in that field at Clifford-Jacobs Forging Co., Bacon & Van Buskirk Glass Co. and the University of Illinois Student Financial Aid Office for 47 years.

Bill was a member of First Baptist Church of Champaign at Savoy. He was baptized into the Christian faith in 1956 and served the Lord as youth counselor, deacon, elder and treasurer, and taught youth, adult and special ed Sunday school. Bill served the children at First Baptist in the Awana program and vacation Bible school.

During his life, he traveled to Honduras and Africa on mission trips. One of his mission trips included serving 19 days in the Democratic Republic of the Congo helping to construct a water retention system. In Honduras, Bill served at an orphanage and helped to build furniture for the children.

Bill served on the board of directors of the Champaign County Association for the Mentally Challenged as treasurer and was instrumental in opening the first group home in Champaign for people with disabilities. He was on the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission serving on the Community Action Board, was a life/active member of the Carle Hospital Auxiliary and was a member of the University Club. Bill enjoyed traveling, dancing, bowling and playing bridge.

Bill is survived by his wife, Janet, and his sister, Lois E. (Chuck) Sadler of Fithian, their children Steve and Donna Sadler (sons Spencer and Sam), Linda and Jim Riggs (daughters Susan and Kristen and Jeremy Wise) and Deana Sadler. He is also survived by Janet's sister, Carol, and her husband, Dan Mullis of Danville, and their son Matt and Claire Mullis (daughters Olivia and Hannah).

Bill and Janet "unofficially" adopted a young family 15 years ago. They are Jared and Julianne Webber and their children Christoff, Megan, Kade, Mia and Caleb.

In addition to his son Jeff, Bill was preceded in death by his brother, James A. Manning of Gifford, and sister, Doris (Don) Wolf of Homer, as well as his parents.

There will be a visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016, at the First Baptist Church of Champaign at Savoy. A celebration of life service will be at the church (corner of South Prospect and Burwash avenues, Savoy) at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 8, 2016, with Pastor Ron McDugle officiating. A visitation at the church will begin at 10 am. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to the Developmental Services Center, 1304 W. Bradley Ave., Champaign, IL 61822, or to Camp New Hope, P.O. Box 764, Mattoon, IL 61938, in memory of Jeff Manning and Bill.

The family would like to thank Carle Hospital and Carle Hospice, its doctors, nurses, aides and other caregivers and specialists for their services this past year. All have been so kind and sensitive to Bill's needs. We also thank our family, friends and our First Baptist Church family for their prayers, food, cards and care support this past year. The love we have received is beyond measure.

Morgan Memorial Home, 1304 Regency Drive West, Savoy, is in charge of arrangements.