William J. Weldon

Bill Weldon, 77, passed away peacefully at home on March 6, 2026. He left this world as he left a gathering—without fuss or goodbyes.

Bill was born on July 5, 1948, to John and Jean Weldon in Kankakee, Illinois. He was raised in Roscoe, Illinois, with his brothers, Jed and Chuck, and his sister, Jody. He spent his childhood with his grandparents, Lee and Helen, learning about horses on Wilcox Pony Farm. He attended Kinnikinnick Grade School and Hononegah High School, graduating in 1966.

After high school, Bill enlisted in the Army and served in Vietnam. When he returned home, he married his high school sweetheart, Janice Baker, and the two moved to their farm, where they remained for the next 54 years. There, they raised three children: Anna, Drew, and Faye. His grandkids spent a lot of time playing and helping on the farm and enjoyed conversations with their grandpa. They gave Bill a new appreciation for children.  

Bill enjoyed having a smoke on the porch while keeping an eye on his cows. He especially loved the shade of green the fields turned after the first spring thunderstorm. A skilled carpenter, he was proud to be a partner in his contracting company, JW Camber.

During his life, Bill hunted coon and coyotes with his dogs and good friends. He loved heading north to Woman Lake to open the family cabin in the spring and close it in the fall, spending hours sipping coffee, watching the lake, and listening to public radio. Bill also enjoyed the company he kept with the Breakfast Club at the Roscoe VFW, although it is unclear if they always enjoyed his.

Bill wasn’t a hugger, and he wasn’t mushy, but he spoke highly of the people he loved—just not to them. He was a man of few words.  

Bill is survived by his wife, Janice; his children, Anna (Brian) Hulburt, Drew Weldon, and Faye (David Fane) Weldon; his grandchildren, Peyton and Elle Johnson, and Addison and Evan Hulburt; his sister, Jody (Dan) Gleasman; his nephews, Matt Weldon and Casey Weldon; and his nieces, Jenny Elson, Katie Grinell, Mary Weldon, and Sarah Sunleaf. He also leaves behind many other nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins, his lifelong friend Dick Hill, and his long-suffering friend Steve Ueck.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Jean Weldon; his brothers, Jed (Toni) and Chuck (Diane Richter) Weldon; and his father-in-law, John Baker.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 13th, 2026, at Honquest Funeral Home - Roscoe Chapel, 11342 Main Street, Roscoe, IL, 61073, at 1:00 PM, with a visitation starting at 11:00 AM until the time of service. Burial will immediately follow at Roscoe Township Cemetery. Luncheon to follow at the Roscoe VFW.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Roscoe VFW Post 2955, 11385 2nd Street, Roscoe, IL 61073 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William J. Weldon, please visit our floral store.