Carl William "Bill" Olson, Jr.

C arl William “Bill” Olson, Jr. 88, of Cameron, IL passed away at 6:35 am, Friday, September 30, 2022, at his home.

Bill was born July 14, 1934, in Monmouth, Il the son of Carl William Sr. and Cathryn (Gettemy) Olson.  He was raised and educated in Warren County attending county schools and Cameron School he later graduated from Galesburg High School in 1952.

Bill was drafted into the United States Army in 1954, serving in Korea, where he earned the rank of Corporal. While in the Army he was also assigned to the United State Air Force, SCARWAF Engineers, which was a special category of the Army that worked with the Air Force.

Bill married Gladys Trout at the Cameron Christian Church on April 13, 1956, and she survives.

Bill worked for OMC Gale Products Division in Galesburg for over 28 years before retiring in 1997. Following his retirement, Bill worked as a security guard for several local businesses including Carl Sandburg College.

He was a member of the Cameron Christian Church where he served as an Elder. He was a lifetime member of the Monmouth Odd Fellows along with the Monmouth VFW and the Monmouth American Legion and served as Chaplain of both organizations.  Bill also served many years as a member of the VFW/AM Legion Honor Guard.   He was a member of the Warren County Auxiliary Police for 15 years. He was a hunter safety instructor for 30 years and a Boy Scout/Cub Scout leader for 5 years.  He enjoyed reading, playing cards and watching westerns.

Survivors include his wife, Gladys Olson of Cameron, IL; 4 children, Ray (Barb) Olson of Bloomington, IL, David (Sherry) Olson of Washington, IL, Barb (Don) Dupre of Monmouth, IL and Roger (Aimee) Olson of Mascoutah, IL;  9 grandchildren, Kyle (Kady) Olson, Alexander Olson, Elizabeth Olson, Alexandra (Daniel) Spisak, Kimberly Olson, Kelly Dupre, Matthew (Jessica) Olson, Laura Dupre and Kayla McPherson; 4 great-grandchildren, Elleanor Olson, Lucille Olson, Rowan Spisak and Isabella Flores; numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Robert Olson; grandson, Joshua Olson and sister, Marjorie Trout.

Memorial services will be at 10:00 am Thursday, October 6, 2022, at McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, IL. Interment with Military Honors will be at Silent Home Cemetery, Cameron, IL.  Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 pm, Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at the funeral home.  Memorials may be given to the Monmouth American Legion.