William Kesler

Bill Kesler was born May 3, 1928 in Danville, IL, the son of Clifford and Frances Kesler.   He was the twin brother of Robert E. Kesler of Danville, IL He married Carol Marie Kesler (Janson) in 1954 in East Orange, New Jersey.  After his first wife died, Bill married Beverly Shea in 1983 in Danville, IL. 

Mr. Kesler is survived by his wife (Beverly) Kesler of Danville; one daughter, Ann Covode (Russ) of Evanston, IL and one son John Kesler(Amy), of Indianapolis, IN; four grandchildren, Leslie Kesler of Indianapolis, IN, Becca (Covode) (Jim) Berry of Chicago, IL, Emma Covode of Chicago, IL and Christine Covode of Brooklyn, New York.  Stepchildren include Dr. John (Jennifer) Shea of Hendersonville, TN, Jennifer Shea of St. Louis and Kathleen Shea of New York City. Step grandchildren include John Dickson of New York, NY, Katie Shea of Hendersonville, TN and Jack (Ashley) Shea of Nashville, TN.

Mr. Kesler was preceded in death by his parents, his twin brother Robert Kesler, his wife Carol and his stepdaughter Libby Shea.   After graduating from Danville High School in 1946, Mr. Kesler attended the University of Illinois and graduated in 1950 with a degree in accounting.  He later graduated from the School of law at The University of Illinois in 1952. Mr. Kesler joined Gunn and Hickman Law after graduation and was well known throughout the Danville area as a lawyer.

Mr. Kesler was a strong supporter of the Danville community. He formerly served on the boards of Springhill Cemetery, the Danville Library, the Danville Symphony Foundation, the DACC Foundation and the Danville Country Club.  He was a longtime member of St. James United Methodist Church, the Danville Rotary Club, the YMCA and the Danville Country Club. Mr. Kesler had a passion for golf playing 3 times a week into his 90’s and had been playing at Danville Country Club since he was 14.  He also enjoyed cheering for the Fighting Illini, and the Chicago Cubs. He loved travelling, especially his annual winter trips to Siesta Key, Fl.  

Mr. Kesler will be remembered by family and friends for his love of golf and affable personality.

A Celebration of Bill’s Life will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, November 26, 2022 at St. James United Methodist Church in Danville, IL. A reception for Family and Friends will follow at the Danville Country Club

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Danville YMCA, 1111 N. Vermilion Street, Danville, IL  61832.

https://danvilleymca.org/give/

The family would like to thank the staff at Colonial Manor for taking such good care of him this past year.

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