William L. (Bill) Blaser died peacefully on February 26, 2018, in Walnut Creek, California, at the age of 94.
He is survived by his wife, Jean, of San Diego, CA, sons Glenn Blaser (Laura) of Orlando, FL, and Steven Blaser (Barbara) of Pittsburg, CA, a daughter, Joan Blaser of Virginia Beach, VA, and a stepson, John Rogers (Scott Lawry) of San Diego, CA.
He is preceded in death by two sister, Loretta and Patricia, and leaves six grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.
Bill was born December 10, 1923, in Brookfield, IL, to William and Antoinette (Fuka) Blaser.
He served in the Navy during World War II and was awarded the Bronze Star. After the war, he graduated from Northwestern University and attended Harvard Law School before beginning a career in business.
He was a turn-around president for companies as diverse as a chocolate factory, a carpet company, an orange juice processor, and a tile manufacturer. He was elected to the Illinois State Legislature on the Long Orange Ballot and served one term. Later, he was appointed by Governor Richard Ogilvie to be Director of the Illinois EPA in its formative years. In retirement, he was an avid grower of orchids and was active in the Springfield Orchid Society and the Springfield Lake Shore Association.
Private services will be held in California. The family thanks the staff of Better Living in Pleasant Hill, CA, for their care and dedication in Bill's later years.
Published in Print in The State Journal-Register from Mar. 6 to Mar. 7, 2018
He is survived by his wife, Jean, of San Diego, CA, sons Glenn Blaser (Laura) of Orlando, FL, and Steven Blaser (Barbara) of Pittsburg, CA, a daughter, Joan Blaser of Virginia Beach, VA, and a stepson, John Rogers (Scott Lawry) of San Diego, CA.
He is preceded in death by two sister, Loretta and Patricia, and leaves six grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.
Bill was born December 10, 1923, in Brookfield, IL, to William and Antoinette (Fuka) Blaser.
He served in the Navy during World War II and was awarded the Bronze Star. After the war, he graduated from Northwestern University and attended Harvard Law School before beginning a career in business.
He was a turn-around president for companies as diverse as a chocolate factory, a carpet company, an orange juice processor, and a tile manufacturer. He was elected to the Illinois State Legislature on the Long Orange Ballot and served one term. Later, he was appointed by Governor Richard Ogilvie to be Director of the Illinois EPA in its formative years. In retirement, he was an avid grower of orchids and was active in the Springfield Orchid Society and the Springfield Lake Shore Association.
Private services will be held in California. The family thanks the staff of Better Living in Pleasant Hill, CA, for their care and dedication in Bill's later years.
Published in Print in The State Journal-Register from Mar. 6 to Mar. 7, 2018
William L. (Bill) Blaser died peacefully on February 26, 2018, in Walnut Creek, California, at the age of 94.
He is survived by his wife, Jean, of San Diego, CA, sons Glenn Blaser (Laura) of Orlando, FL, and Steven Blaser (Barbara) of Pittsburg, CA, a daughter, Joan Blaser of Virginia Beach, VA, and a stepson, John Rogers (Scott Lawry) of San Diego, CA.
He is preceded in death by two sister, Loretta and Patricia, and leaves six grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.
Bill was born December 10, 1923, in Brookfield, IL, to William and Antoinette (Fuka) Blaser.
He served in the Navy during World War II and was awarded the Bronze Star. After the war, he graduated from Northwestern University and attended Harvard Law School before beginning a career in business.
He was a turn-around president for companies as diverse as a chocolate factory, a carpet company, an orange juice processor, and a tile manufacturer. He was elected to the Illinois State Legislature on the Long Orange Ballot and served one term. Later, he was appointed by Governor Richard Ogilvie to be Director of the Illinois EPA in its formative years. In retirement, he was an avid grower of orchids and was active in the Springfield Orchid Society and the Springfield Lake Shore Association.
Private services will be held in California. The family thanks the staff of Better Living in Pleasant Hill, CA, for their care and dedication in Bill's later years.
Published in Print in The State Journal-Register from Mar. 6 to Mar. 7, 2018
He is survived by his wife, Jean, of San Diego, CA, sons Glenn Blaser (Laura) of Orlando, FL, and Steven Blaser (Barbara) of Pittsburg, CA, a daughter, Joan Blaser of Virginia Beach, VA, and a stepson, John Rogers (Scott Lawry) of San Diego, CA.
He is preceded in death by two sister, Loretta and Patricia, and leaves six grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.
Bill was born December 10, 1923, in Brookfield, IL, to William and Antoinette (Fuka) Blaser.
He served in the Navy during World War II and was awarded the Bronze Star. After the war, he graduated from Northwestern University and attended Harvard Law School before beginning a career in business.
He was a turn-around president for companies as diverse as a chocolate factory, a carpet company, an orange juice processor, and a tile manufacturer. He was elected to the Illinois State Legislature on the Long Orange Ballot and served one term. Later, he was appointed by Governor Richard Ogilvie to be Director of the Illinois EPA in its formative years. In retirement, he was an avid grower of orchids and was active in the Springfield Orchid Society and the Springfield Lake Shore Association.
Private services will be held in California. The family thanks the staff of Better Living in Pleasant Hill, CA, for their care and dedication in Bill's later years.
Published in Print in The State Journal-Register from Mar. 6 to Mar. 7, 2018
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