William R. Speer

William Roger Speer, affectionately known as Bill to all who knew and loved him, embarked on his final journey on July 30, 2024, after a life as vibrant and full as the fireworks he so enjoyed. Born on April 7, 1950, in Berwyn, IL, Bill's laughter and love echoed until his last day.

He spent his career lending his talents to telecom giants spanning the evolution of the industry, starting at Illinois Bell where he made his way to AT&T, Avaya, Lucent Technologies, and finally retired from Abbott Labs.

When it came to his family, Bill was the heart and the anchor. His beloved wife, Boni, was the love of his life, and together they raised a trio of Speers. His son, Will, along with daughter-in-law Jessica and their kids Austin and Kaylie, knew Pops as the playful grandpa who could fix anything, from electronics to kitchen plumbing. Daughter Tracy, her husband Steve, and their kids Stephen and Riley could always count on Pops to be on the sidelines of their events and will always remember their time together at the lake. Tiffany, his youngest, along with her former spouse Travis and their daughters Talia and Isabelle, will miss the gentle giant he was. 

Bill's sister, Jackie DeCicco along with her children and grandchildren, his brother, Ben, with his wife Diane, will fondly reminisce about the good times and share stories that lasted a lifetime.

He leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and the kind of stories that will be passed down through generations, each retelling accompanied by a chuckle.  As we say our goodbyes, let's remember Bill not with sadness, but with the joy he would want—imagining him on a boat, racing across the lake, with a drink in hand, and a trail of laughter in his wake after dumping someone off the tube. The world may be a little quieter now, but we hope his next adventure will be as grand as the life he shared with us.

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