William "Bill" Earl Dardeen, 80, of Shiloh, Ill. passed away peacefully at his home on August 23, 2023, surrounded by family. Bill was born on January 2, 1943 in Eldorado, Ill.; where he worked at the local grocery store and was the placekicker for the Eldorado Township High School football team. This is when Bill's lifelong obsession to find his ideal vehicle began; owning so many that he could have opened his own car lot. Bill met his high school sweetheart Carol in 1957 and they married in 1962. Together they left Southern Illinois and moved to Shiloh in 1964 and lived a lifelong fairy tale romance.

Bill had an extensive career in glazing which began at the Sterns and Sadler Glass Company in Carbondale, Ill. prior to their move to Shiloh. Bill owned and operated the Shiloh Glass in Belleville, Ill. for 5 years, and was a 61-year brother member of Glaziers, Architectural Metal and Glassworkers Local #513 in St. Louis; from where he retired in 2001. He built countless buildings around St. Louis and had the opportunity to work out-of-town in Chicago where he helped build part of that memorable skyline.

Bill owned numerous horses; including a retired racehorse named Bob, and his favorite Arabian horse named Ahab. On weekends back then, you could often find Bill riding his horses near downtown Shiloh.

In 1967, his son Brett was born giving Bill his proudest name "Dad". Bill was the most supportive dad you could ever ask for and attended all of Brett's activities. Their family of three toured many states, and logged thousands of miles traveling to Brett's BMX races. Bill was always at the track spectating, and occasionally he would grab a bike and racing helmet to compete in the dad races.

Bill delightfully became the best Paw Paw to his greatest joys ever, Athena and Evangeline. He would drop everything for his granddaughters, and once again he could be found attending everything they did. They filled his heart with so much love it seemed his heart would burst.

Bill was the originator of the professional shopper. He went to find the best deals, and used to say that anyone could pay full price. He loved to shop, and if he came across something that reminded him of someone, they then became part of his shopping list. Watches and clocks were his passion, and if they needed help to start ticking again, somehow he made that happen. On the hour, their house chimed in unison like a grand orchestra. Bill also enjoyed riding his Harley motorcycles; and watching old shows, westerns, and wrestling.

Bill was known by all as the kindest and gentlest man you could meet. He always put his family and friends first, and he will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Geneva, nee Forster, Dardeen; son Brett Dardeen; brothers Jack and John Dardeen; and sister-in-law Brenda Rister.

Surviving are his loving wife Carol Dardeen; daughter-in-law Joanna Dardeen and granddaughters Athena and Evangeline Dardeen, all of Shiloh, Ill.; sister Bonnie (Kevin) Bean of Eldorado, Ill.; sister-in-law Laverne Dardeen of O'Fallon, Ill.; brother-in-law Doyle Rister of Omaha, Ill.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials can be made in Bill's honor to either St. Jude's Hospital, St. Louis Children's Hospital, or any charity of their choice.

Visitation: Friends may call from 5 - 8 pm on Monday, August 28, 2023 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O'Fallon, Ill..

Funeral: Service will be held at 10:30 am on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at O'Fallon First United Methodist Church, 504 E. Hwy. 50, O'Fallon, Ill., with Rev. Don Long and Rev. Tarrah Vaupel officiating.