William "Bill" H Babcock Jr.

William "Bill" H Babcock Jr., 70, of Galesburg, died at 1:40 p.m. Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at home.

He was born May 6, 1946 to William H. and Mary (Sobczek) Babcock Sr. in Chicago, Illinois. His father preceded him in death.

He married Sheila Harper (deceased) on August 30 1978. They raised six children, Sheila Farris (Carl) of Augusta, Illinois, Billy Glen Babcock (deceased), Raymond Babcock of Galesburg, Marybeth Smith of New Windsor, Illinois, James Babcock of Galesburg, and Josh Mulkey of Galesburg. He had eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. His mother, Mary Carson survives of Knoxville. He is also survived by three brothers, Harry of Monmouth, Thomas of Danville, Illinois, and Timothy of Paxton, Illinois; and two sisters, Lisa German of Tacoma, Washington and Sharron Babcock of Gifford, Illinois.

Bill served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He was a truck driver for many years and later was a school bus driver in Galesburg. Bill earned his Associate’s Degree in Metallurgy from Carl Sandburg College. He passed his time working on cars, collecting baseball cards, and HO scale and Lionel trains. He loved to go bargain hunting for antiques at flea markets. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren whenever possible.

Visitation will be 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, September 25, 2016 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel. Military honors will be offered at 4 p.m. Cremation will be accorded following the visitation. Memorial contributions may be made to the family. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.