Following the death of Madison County Board member Bill Meyer, 75, several fellow members remembered him for his love and appreciation of District 3 after roughly 18 years of service to his constituents.
“Bill will be remembered as a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather, a loyal friend, a community servant and a lifelong Christian,” his obituary states.
William “Bill” Steven Meyer, of Hamel, passed away on Jan. 6. He represented District 3 on the Madison County Board, where he chaired the Transportation Committee and served as a member of the Building & Zoning, Grants, Judiciary and Executive Committees. He also worked as an insurance broker with W.S. Meyer & Associates Inc. in Hamel.
Meyer served on the county board from 2000-2016 and again from 2020-2023.
His colleagues remembered him for his contributions to the citizens of Madison County and offered condolences to his family.
“Bill was a long-time board member and friend that cared deeply about bettering Hamel and his district - District 3. He enjoyed being part of the Transportation and Zoning Committees, because, as he once said to me, those were the main reasons he was on the county board. He was passionate about the county spending money locally in Madison County, as well. Even when he was off the board for a few years, he was active in helping bring business opportunities to his district when they arose. Bill will be missed.”
“One thing I will always remember about Bill Meyer is he loved his people in Hamel and fought hard to help them out,” said board member Mike Babcock.
Jason Palmero, who was recently elected to serve on the board, said he is deeply saddened by Meyer’s passing.
“I was really looking forward to working with Bill,” he said. “He reached out to me shortly after I won the election and we hit it off right away. He seemed like a very genuine guy and will be missed by many. My deepest condolences go out to all his family and friends during this tough time. As a fellow veteran myself, my condolences also go out to all the men and women he served with in the military as well.
Paul Nicolussi, who was also recently elected to the board, said he didn’t know Meyer well but only had pleasant interactions with him.
“My father went to high school with Bill and served in Vietnam the same time as he did,” Nicolussi said. “We will be grieved [for] anyone who knew him.”
Alison Lamothe said she also didn’t have a chance to know Meyer well, but sent her condolences to his loved ones.
“As a new board member, I had not had the chance to get to know Bill and am sorry I will not have the chance to do so,” she said.
Flags were flown at half-mast by the Village of Hamel, the Village of Worden and the New Douglas Volunteer Fire Department.
Facebook posts by the fire department and Worden Mayor Preston Hall said Meyer was a “great friend and supporter” and “will be dearly missed.”
“Thank you for your service sir, rest in peace,” one of the posts stated.
Meyer is survived by his wife of 55 years, Amy Meyer, daughters Julie (Aaron) Fish and Billie (Guy) Robinson, and grandchildren Ethan, Morgan and Peyton Ashauer; Meila and Willow Robinson; and Gabriel Fish. He is preceded in death by his daughter Jennifer Meyer-Ashauer.
He graduated from Edwardsville High School in 1964. He previously served as mayor of Hamel and as a village trustee and police chief.
In addition to his service to the Village of Hamel and Madison County, Meyer also had a long career with his insurance firm.
The firm was originally established in 1947 by Wilbur F. Meyer. It became W.S. Meyer & Associates when it was purchased by Bill Meyer in 1981, according to the firm’s website.
“We are a full-service agency with years of experience managing a wide range of risk and exposures. We pride ourselves on being accessible to our customers and providing them with the personal service they deserve. Keep your loved ones safe and protect your assets,” the website states.