William A. Durdan, 85 of Grand Ridge passed away Wednesday morning (October 4, 2023) at his home
surrounded by his family.
A visitation will be held Sunday from 3 – 6 PM with a prayer service at 6 PM at the Grand Ridge Funeral
Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday at 10:30 AM at St. Mary of the Fields Church, Grand
Ridge. Burial will be in the St. Stephen’s Cemetery, Streator.
Bill was born on May 3, 1938, in Streator to Steve and Edna (Kuhn) Durdan. He married Phyllis Mish on
September 1, 1962. She survives.
Also surviving are sons, Andrew W. (Maria) Durdan of Utica, William J. Durdan of Marseilles, daughter
Amy Y. (Dan) Thomas of Deer Park, 5 grandchildren; Nolan (Beth) Durdan, Margaret (Davis Dahlberg)
Durdan and Ashlyn, Emma and Jacob Thomas, a great-grandchild due in February of 2024, brother
Robert (Cheryl) Durdan of Grand Ridge, sister-in-law Brenda Corcoran of Bloomington, many nieces and
nephews and great nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, sister, and brother-in-law Mary and Lyle Nichols, brother and
sister-in-law James and Marilyn Durdan.
Bill graduated from Marquette High School in 1956. He played Minor League Baseball from 1957 – 1959
for the Washington Senators. He was inducted into the John Pocivacek Hall of Fame for his professional
baseball career, and also as a member of the undefeated 1954 Marquette football team. Bill was
inducted into the Old Timers Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002. He and friends founded the Marquette Go
Club which is still going strong today. Bill was a lifetime member and caretaker of the St. Mary of the
Fields Church, he served in the US Army, was the Grand Rapids Township Supervisor for 20 years, Ottawa
Knights of Columbus 4th degree, and a member of the Ottawa American Legion. He was a GE Plastics
retiree.
Bill built his life from the ground up as a lifelong farmer, his life revolved around his love for his family,
faith, friends, and farm. He built and developed the pond as a place to gather with family and friends.
He never knew a stranger or passed up a good time. His clever wit and joyful, sometimes mischievous
humor will be greatly missed.
Words cannot express our appreciation to Pat Duffield for all her support.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Marquette Academy or the Grand Ridge Fire Department.
Grand Ridge Funeral Home
125 Sylvan Ave.
Grand Ridge, IL 61325
815-249-6813