William Richard Dempsay

William "Bill" Richard Dempsay, age 74, of Rice, Ill., passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014 at 12:05 p.m. in his home peacefully with his family by his side.

Bill was born on Jan. 26, 1940 at home in Rice, Ill. , a son to Golda E. "Bud" Emmit and Ruth Opal (Todd) Dempsay. On Oct. 29, 1960, he married Patricia Bearden in Concord Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, Ill. Bill worked at Consol Coal #4 at Cutler for 27 years and his last job was a backhoe operator. After that, he worked for Pyramid Painting, Pinckneyville, Ill., and Thomas Home Improvement, Pinckneyville, Ill., as a painter. He belonged to Perry County Sportsman's Club. He liked camping, fishing and hunting with his beagle Maggie and her buddy Josie.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia Dempsay of Pinckneyville, Ill.; his children, Kim (Bob) Schneider of Pinckneyville, Ill., Billy Dempsay of Pinckneyville, Ill. and Kathy (Joe) Mathis of Tamaroa, Ill.; nine grandchildren, Megan (Greg) Shute, Zach Schneider, Samantha Schneider, Cale Schneider, Ryan Mathis, Danielle Mathis, Olivia Mathis, Zach Vuichard and Shelby Dempsay; three great-grandchildren, Kyleigh Vuichard, Caden Shute and Parker Shute; two brothers, Louis Dean (Joan) Dempsay and Jack (Joni) Dempsay; two sisters, Goldie (Charlie) Rizzo and Judy (Steve) Bigham; two sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Fithian and Marla Bearden and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Jenny Bruns.

Funeral services will be held at Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, Ill. on Friday, Oct. 24, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. with Reverend Clyde Dempsay officiating.

Friends may call at Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, Ill. on Friday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Visitation will resume after the service until 8:00 p.m.

Graveside services will be held at Concord Cemetery, Rice, Ill. on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Mark Camp officiating. Family and friends are asked to go directly to the cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Concord Cemetery or Perry County Humane Society.

For more information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.