William Dimock Newell, 70, of Urbana died on Friday (November 24, 2017) at his home.

Bill was born on December 31, 1946 in Hartford, Connecticut to William Francis & Eunice Dimock Newell. He married the love of his life Mary Jane (Uphoff) Newell on August 6, 1972.

Bill is survived by his wife Mary Jane, his daughters Rachel Newell and Deborah (Tony) Poblano of Urbana, his grandchildren Antonio and Maria Isabel Poblano of Urbana, his sister Jean (Martin) Sudell of Rocky Hill, Connecticut, three nephews, and one great-niece. He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Eunice.

Bill graduated from Rocky Hill High School (Rocky Hill, Connecticut) in 1964, Gallaudet University in 1971, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1982. He served for many years as a bi-vocational minister for the Deaf at Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church in Urbana while also working as an accountant in Farmer City and at Combe Laboratories in Rantoul.

Bill was a member of Windsor Road Christian Church and an active member of the Illinois Association for the Deaf/Illini Chapter, serving many terms as one of their officers. He previously volunteered with the Provena Foundation, mentored with CU 1-to-1, and sponsored children through Compassion International. He enjoyed road trips with Mary Jane to visit the burial sites of former presidents as well as playing pickleball.

He will be remembered lovingly for his kindness, generosity, integrity, sense of humor, and faith.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, November 29th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory, 1900 S. Philo Rd., Urbana. A memorial service will be held at Windsor Road Christian Church, 2501 Windsor Rd., Champaign, Thursday, November 30th 11:00 a.m., with a reception one hour prior to the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Windsor Road Christian Church Missions Fund, the Illinois Association for the Deaf Illini Chapter, or to CU 1-to-1. Condolences may be offered online at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.