William H. Seesland

William H. “Bill” Seesland, 97, a long time Moline resident, passed away Friday, June 5, 2015, at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf, IA. A Celebration of Life will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, June 11th, at the First Congregational Church, 2201 Seventh Avenue, Moline, IL. Visitation with the family will be from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Wednesday, June 10th, at Wendt Funeral Home in Moline. Burial at Rock Island Arsenal National Cemetery will take place at 10:00 am on Friday, June 12th. Bill was born November 18, 1917, at Camp Logan, Houston, TX, to Eileen (O’Reilly) and Glen J. Seesland. Bill’s father, an officer in the 132nd Illinois Infantry, was serving under General Pershing, who was attempting to capture Poncho Villa. Bill grew up in several locations, due to the early death of his mother, living with relatives in Chicago, IL, Detroit, MI, Sycamore, IL, and Juda, WI. Perhaps this is how he developed his skill in dealing with people and, despite adversity, a positive attitude to life. He attended Northwestern University in Chicago, and Centre College in Danville, KY. In October 1942, he enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program, and was called to active duty in January 1943. He went overseas in January 1945, joining the 487th Squadron of the 352nd Fighter Group at Chevres, Belgium. His main base was Bodney, England, flying the P-51 Mustang, and earning the rank of Captain. Bill and wife, Alberta “Billie”, moved to Moline in 1946 to raise a family and work for the John Deere Company, retiring in 1980. Married since 1939, Bill and Billie enjoyed retirement visiting Alaska, Panama Canal, Europe, and Africa. He was also an avid golfer and tennis player. In 2008, Bill flew on the QC Honor Flight with daughters Eileen and Bonnie. An enthusiastic advocate of the Moline Fire Department, in the early 1950’s he was a founding member of the Moline Second Alarmers. In November 2007, Bill was made an honorary member of Fire Fighter’s Union 581. Sunday mornings might find him enjoying a cup of coffee with his firemen friends and sharing his wit and humor in the conversation. Bill is survived by his three daughters: Bonnie Tyler of Washington, D.C., Billie Brewer of Moline, and Eileen Hoegner of Moline; and his granddaughter Darcy Tyler of Seattle, WA. He was preceded in death by wife Alberta in 2013, and sons-in-law Curtis P. Hoegner and Jerry L. Brewer. The family requests no flowers. Instead, suggested donations are to Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, 2546 Tech Drive, Bettendorf, IA 52722, or Living Lands & Water, 17624 Route 84 N, East Moline, IL 61244, or do something for yourself that makes you happy.

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