William Stephen Block

Peoria, IL - William Stephen Block, of Peoria, died at Heddington Oaks in Peoria on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014 at 6:50 a.m. He was born in Peoria, IL on November 9, 1944, the third son of Frederick Lawrence and Gertrude (Slack) Block.

Surviving are his brothers, Frederick L. (Mary) Block III of Washington, IL and Carl C. (Billie) Block II of Peoria. He is also survived by one niece, three nephews and seven great-nieces and nephews.

Mr. Block graduated from the Southern Arizona School for Boys. He was an alumnus of the University of Arizona, where he studied Business and Art. In a University of Arizona and Stanford University summer extension term he augmented his studies in Art and Spanish at Guadalajara, Mexico.

His professional career included being the president of William S. Block Fine Art, also of W. S. Block and Associates, Inc., and founder of International Art Enterprises and Las Marinas de Acapulco. In 1977 he was elected to the Board of Trustees of Schipper and Block, Inc., and was instrumental in the transition of that corporation into a real estate investment trust, and the final dispersal of its assets. Among those assets were the downtown Sears property, which is now the location of the Peoria Riverfront Museum, and the former Peoria headquarters building of the Block and Kuhl department stores chain.

Mr. Block was a member of First Federated Church since 1953, where he had served on the Columbarium Committee. He directed abundant energy and support into the Peoria Art Guild and Lakeview Center for the Arts and Sciences. He was an honorary life member of the Anchorage Museum Association in Alaska.

As an active Klystron member of WTVP, Channel 47, Mr. Block was one of its early board members and served as its Director of Community Relations. His wide interests led to his receipt of a 1968 Medal of Distinction from the Jamaican Ministry of Foreign Trade; appointment to the Board of Directors of Associated Securities Consolidated Overseas of Geneva, Switzerland in 1969; being a 1986 finance committee member and fundraiser for the Aspen Music Festival, which is vital to success of the Aspen Music School.

Private Services for Mr. Block were held at First Federated Church in Peoria with burial in the family plot at Springdale Cemetery. Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel handled the arrangements. A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the spring for friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mr. Block’s memory may be sent to either First Federated Church or to Heartland Community Health Clinic. Online condolences may be made at www.davison-fulton.com.