Brigadier General (Ret.) William "Bill" Sapp, Jr.

He was born May 31, 1925 in Oak Wood, IL the son of William and Inez (Miller) Sapp Sr. They preceded him in death as well as three sisters, and his son, Greg.

After graduation from Du Quoin High School in 1943, he enlisted and served in the United States Army Air Corps in W. W. II. He was a crew chief on a C-47 Transport, serving in the South Pacific Theatre of Operations. He returned to Illinois and graduated from Bradley University in 1949. Following his graduation, he and Yvonne moved to Springfield. Gen. Sapp joined the Illinois National Guard in 1950 and worked full time for the Federal Technician Program of the Army National Guard. He was recalled to active duty in 1961 during the Berlin Crisis. As a Captain, he commanded the 3637th Ord. Co of Camp Lincoln. The unit spent 1 year at Ft. Knox, KY. The unit was awarded the Dwight Eisenhower Trophy as the outstanding unit of the Illinois Army National Guard for the year 1961. Following his command of the 3637th, he commanded the 232nd Supply and Service Battalion as a Lt. Col. He was promoted to Colonel and appointed to the Adjutant Generals Staff as Director of Maintenance for the Illinois Army National Guard. He was a graduate of the United States Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth Kansas. He retired in 1980 after 35 years of service in July 1980 as a Brigadier General.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Du Quoin for many years. He was a life member of the U.S. National Guard Association, a life member of the Elks club, and life member of the Aqua Sports Club. He was a former member of Central Lodge #71 AF&AM, and the Springfield Consistory. Gen Sapp was an amateur radio operator and was a member of various clubs over the years.

General Sapp married the former Yvonne Rice of Du Quoin on July 31, 1948 and she survives. Also surviving are his son Gary of Springfield, four grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. He has several nieces and nephews.

Visitation: The Sapp family will greet family and friends from 1-3 pm on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017 at Bisch Funeral Home West 2931 S. Koke Mill Rd. Springfield.

Funeral Service: A funeral service will be held at 11:30 am Monday, Oct. 30, 2017 at the funeral home with Pastor Paul Rose officiating. Graveside Services with full military honors presented by the United States Department of Defense and the Inter-Veterans Burial Detail of Sangamon will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery.

Those who wish may direct memorial contributions in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517.

Please visit the online “Life Remembered Story” at www.bischfuneralhome.com where tributes and condolences may be left for the family.

Bisch Funeral Home West is serving the Sapp family. 217-544-5424