Obituaries

William C. “Bill” Witzel, 82, of St. Charles, Illinois, passed away on October 19, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of memories and a family who loved him dearly.

Born on March 25, 1944, in Blue Island, Illinois, to Sadie and Ron Witzel, Bill built a life centered on hard work, faith, and family. He raised his children in St. Charles, Illinois, and was the proud owner of Water Products in Aurora, Illinois, and Cascade Waterworks Manufacturing in Yorkville, Illinois. He believed in the value of a job well done and took pride in building his businesses and providing for those he loved.

While Bill worked hard, it was the simple things in life that brought him the greatest happiness. He loved Jesus, cherished time with family, and appreciated the moments that brought everyone together. Christmas held a special place in his heart, particularly the family tradition of watching It’s a Wonderful Life together. It was a fitting favorite for a man who understood that life’s greatest blessings aren’t measured by what we have, but by the people we share it with.

Bill also enjoyed escaping the Illinois winters for the Florida sunshine, where he could spend his days boating, visiting with family and friends, and enjoying a slower pace of life.

Above all, Bill was a family man. He is survived by his loving wife, Nadine; his children, Lorie Witzel, William Witzel (wife Jennifer), Jennifer Smith (husband Michael), and Kelly Praznovsky (husband Michael); his eight grandchildren, Hailey (Bo), Hunter (Kylie), Joe (Kiley), Heather (Justin), Jacob (Caitlin), Ben, Juliet, and Jillian (Alexis); and 11 great-grandchildren.

Bill’s legacy lives on in the family he loved, the values he passed along, and the countless memories shared over the years. While he will be deeply missed, there is comfort in knowing that his faith has brought him home to the Lord he loved.

For those who wish to honor Bill’s memory, donations to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation would be a meaningful tribute to his love and appreciation for our military and first responders.