William "Bill" Morgan Vann Jr., father of Bishop Kevin Vann of The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange in California, died peacefully at St. John's Hospice at midnight on Nov. 13, with family at his side. He was 89.
Born Aug. 16, 1925 in Dallas, he was raised during the Depression in Kansas City, Mo. He enlisted in the Navy the day he turned 17 and fought in the Pacific Theater on the USS Saratoga as a gunner's mate and later on the USS Invade during World War II. After the war he worked for General Mills in Kansas City and then transferred to Springfield. He went to work for the United States Post Office where he began as a mail sorter and retired as an auditor in 1980. He later worked for the State-Journal Register in the circulation department and spent many years as a volunteer at St. Agnes Grade School.
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Disabled American Veterans. Most of all, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend. He was a member of St. Agnes Parish in Springfield.
Bill married Theresa Anne Jones on April 15, 1950 and she preceded him in death in 2012. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Annie Thornton Vann and Willie M. Vann; an infant brother John Calvin "JC"; sisters Nannie Castleberry Trim and Fannie Mae (Frankie) Tucker Burke; brother Ed Vann and his wife, Sharon.
He is survived by his six children: Bishop Vann, Dennis (wife, Claudia) of St. Paul, Minn., Les (wife, Sharon) of Indianapolis, Gerry of Boston, Mary Therese (M.T.) of Springfield and Dave of San Francisco. He is also survived by his grandchildren, a great-granddaughter and generations of nieces and nephews.
A visitation was held at St. Agnes Catholic Church on Nov. 14 and a funeral Mass, with Bishop Vann as the main celebrant, was at Blessed Sacrament in Springfield on Nov. 15. Burial with military honors was in Calvary Cemetery.
Memorial contributions to honor Bill and Theresa's legacy may be made to: Theresa Vann Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of Friends of St. John's Hospital, 800 E. Carpenter St., Springfield, IL 62769. Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.