William Shoufler

William Leonard Shoufler, 72, of Milford, passed away on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka. William was born on December 21, 1953, at the U.S. Army Hospital in Stuttgart, Germany, the son of Arthur Leon and Elsie Sayers Shoufler. William and his mother gained full U.S. citizenship in 1959. On August 26, 1972, he married Peggy Jean Anderson at the Methodist Church in Milford, and she survives. In addition to his beloved wife, Peggy, William is survived by his two sons, Clay (Jaclynn) Shoufler of Williamsville, IL, and Adam (Karen) Shoufler of Watseka, IL; and his eight cherished grandchildren: Alexis, Hallee, Ainslee, Kolbee, and Brynlee (children of Adam and Karen), and Blake, Isabelle, and Gavin (children of Clay and Jaclynn). Also survived by sister in law Lori & Rob Curtis, nephew Cameron Curtis & family, niece Carlee & Matthew Johnson & family, and sister in law Laura Anderson, several aunts, uncles and cousins. William was preceded in death by infant son, Michael Thomas Shoufler; his parents, Arthur Leon and Elsie Margaret Shoufler; and brother-in-law, Jeff Anderson. William lived a life with a servant's heart, putting others' needs before his. Professionally he gave his best effort and then some as a maintenance and electrical tech for Food Machinery Corporation (Hoopeston) and the Milford Area Public Schools. As a husband and father in the 1980s and 1990s he served his community as a Milford Grade School Board of Education member, President and coach for the Milford Little League, and was loyal to Neil Larimore and the Milford Christian Church. During these two decades, William’s interests included photographing nature, weddings, and senior portraits. He cherished taking his family on memorable vacations across the United States and to his mother's homeland of England multiple times. And you would always find him throwing batting practice, shooting hoops, and fixing things around Shoufler Boulevard with his sons, Clay and Adam. Beginning in the 2000s came the grandchildren, and with that a new wave of interests and hobbies. William turned his attention to genealogy where he was a member of the Iroquois County Genealogical Society, local history, and traveling throughout the Great Lakes region with wife Peggy. Above all, he immersed himself in the lives of his eight grandchildren. Over a span of twenty-seven years, William and Peggy logged tens of thousands of miles and hours on the road to support them.. His grandchildren’s pursuits in singing, dancing, acting, gymnastics, karate, basketball, baseball, softball, track and field, and golf took him across the Midwest, keeping him proudly entertained with countless achievements and big time moments to share with friends and family back home. “Grandpa Bill” was always there to congratulate, console, hug and high five his grandkids with a reassuring smile and warm heart. Remarkably, William recently (September 2026) completed a twenty-five-year passion project, publishing his book of twenty-four essays chronicling the untold stories of Milford’s history titled "Rooted in Milford: Your Homeplace and Mine," He created this book to be a companion to the 1980 Milford and Vicinity Sesquicentennial Souvenir Book 1830-1980. His essays go into descriptive storytelling detail about the people, places, events, and things that built and defined the glory days of Milford’s past between 1850-1950. In his typical servant heart fashion, he hopes his work will further grow the civic pride, nostalgia, and love for Milford, Illinois for years to come. In honoring his life and spirit of service, William was a registered organ and tissue donor through the Gift of Life program, continuing his lifelong devotion to helping others. Per William’s wishes, a Celebration of Life will be held in the early summer of 2027. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Milford Ambulance Service or Iroquois Memorial Hospice.