William (Bill) J. Kubitz of Urbana, died August 5th, at Meadowbrook Health Center in Urbana, IL. He had been critically ill for several weeks.

Bill came to the University of Illinois in 1957 from Freeport, Illinois where he was raised and attended the local schools. He received his BS & MS degrees in physics in 1961 & 62 and earned his PhD from the Department of Electrical Engineering in 1968. He joined the faculty of the Computer Science Department after graduation where he remained until his retirement in 2001. During his tenure with the CS Department he helped develop the first PC Labs, was instrumental in networking the entire campus, facilitated the department's first on-line course offerings, and was a key player in the design and building of the Thomas M. Siebel Center for Computer Science.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Hay Kubitz, whom he met at University Theatre at the U of I as an undergraduate. Also surviving are a daughter, Emily Hoffman (Michael) of Kirkland, Washington, a son, James Kubitz (Kimberly) of Lawrenceburg, Indiana and five grandchildren, Curtis Hoffman of Seattle, Washington, Drew Hoffman of Long Beach, California and Anna, Evan, and Leah Kubitz of Lawrenceburg, Indiana.

He and his wife, Carol, traveled extensively during their 57 years together, visiting all seven continents except Antarctica. They enjoyed a host of performances each season at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and were faithful Illini fans of volleyball, basketball and football.

He will be honored at a memorial service at McKinley Presbyterian Church in Champaign this Saturday, August 12, at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts honoring William Kubitz may be sent to the C-U Symphony Orchestra, 701 Devonshire Drive, C24, Champaign, IL 61820.