Mr. Harley William “Bill” Lietsch, 91, of Galesburg died at 1:28 p.m., Sunday, September 8, 2019 at Unity Point Methodist Medical Center. He was born August 3, 1928 in Galesburg the son of Harley E. and Bessie Standard Lietsch. Bill married Birdie Lillian McGahey in Rock Island on May 3, 1947. After 63 years of marriage, she preceded him in death April 4, 2010.
Bill is survived by his daughters Penny (Lynn) Hammer of Sterling, Illinois; Patricia (Rick) Koestner of Peoria, Illinois; Pamela (Chris) Taylor of Athens, Tennessee; and Peggy (Joe) Tuszynski of Galesburg. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
Bill was raised in Galesburg and graduated from Galesburg High School in 1947. He worked as a machinist for the former CB & Q Railroad and retired from Burlington Northern Santa Fe. Bill and Birdie enjoyed traveling and spending time with their grandchildren and being involved in all their activities. Bill had a great group of friends that he looked forward to seeing daily at Hy-Vee (National Blvd.) for a cup a coffee and story time.
Private family graveside services will be held Saturday, September 14, 2019 at East Linwood Cemetery with the Chaplain Jordan Knight officiating. The family will receive friends from 2:00-3:00 pm Saturday, September 14, 2019 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel for a time of coffee and desserts. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Knox County Humane Society. Online condolences can be made at www.h-p-w.com.
