William J. Rollins, 87, of Urbana died 4:22 am, Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at home.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 5, 2010 at Calvary Baptist Church Urbana. Rev. Gary Gritton will officiate. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens. There will be a visitation from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Friday at Renner-Wikoff Chapel & Crematory 1900 S. Philo Rd. Urbana.

William Jefferson Rollins was born November 11, 1922 in Greenup County, KY; a son of William H. and Bertha Hinkle Rollins. He married Josephine Birzler July 4, 1946 in Chicago, IL. She survives.

Survivors include two sons, William J. Rollins of Riverside, CA; and Richard E. Rollins of Savoy, IL; seven grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, and three sisters.

Bill joined the Army in October of 1942 and was sent to North Africa. He came home in December 1945 but stayed in the active reserve. He then was recalled in 1948. He spent 30 months in Tokyo Japan as a communications expert in the Army Air Corp.

Bill received his Journeyman's card in 1952 from Chicago Local #80. Bill then relocated to Champaign and transferred his card to Union Carpenters Local #44 with the help of the International. He then started teaching apprentices in the basement of the Hill St Hall.

Bill worked at the U of I for 12 years and then the Carpenter Shop for 15 years. He was the Apprentice Coordinator for the Regional Council where he was in charge of Student curriculum and was instrumental in starting the apprentice day class school in Pekin, IL from its inception, with the help of the apprentice committee. Many of the present Foreman, Superintendents and Journeymen owe a great deal of their success to Bill's teaching abilities.

Since retiring in 1988 Bill has continued with his favorite hobbies, golfing, reading, and volunteering at Calvary Baptist Church. Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church 2106 E. Winsor Rd. Urbana. Condolences may be offered at renner-wikoffchapel.com.