Lowell “Bill” McGraw, 84, of Huntley, died peacefully on March 13, 2023, in Barrington.
Bill was born in Dayton, Ohio on October 31, 1938, to parents Lowell and Marjorie (nee Taylor) McGraw. He and family briefly lived in Washington DC, Maryland before his family settled in Wausau, Wisconsin.
He was 1958 graduate of Wausau Highschool and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. In 1963, Bill married Susan Norman and they had one child together, Gerry. On August 19, 1972, Bill married Kathleen Schultz and over the next 50 and a half years they raised two children together, Ryan and Heather, settling in Hoffman Estates and Elgin, before retiring to Huntley.
Bill was an outgoing man who could start a friendly conversation with a stranger in any setting. His personality was a natural for business sales, and he built a career in industrial pump systems with Robbins & Meyers, Crane Chempump, ProMinent Fluid Controls and Netzsch, progressing to VP of sales. As a youth, he dreamed of becoming a pilot and earned his private pilot rating and flew recreationally for over 15 years in Cessna 150s. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to ski, camp, hike, fish, and sail. He was a Cub Scout leader and baseball coach and an all-around great father. In retirement, Bill and Kathy traveled the world together, often with close friends and family.
Bill and Kathy were deeply involved with Willow Creek Community Church where they made lifelong friends. Bill and seven other men raised money in partnership with Water Missions International’s mission to provide sustainable water solutions to people in developing countries and disaster areas. He was also a CERT volunteer in Elgin. His faith and community activism are part of Bill’s lasting legacy.
Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Kathy McGraw, his children, Gerry (Susan) McGraw, Ryan (Julie) McGraw, and Heather (Mark) Rudolf, his grandchildren, Renata, Danielle, Andrea, Mackenzie, Quinton, Cooper, and another on the way, and his great-grandchild, Willow, with another on the way.
Visitation will be Saturday, May 13, 2023, from 10 a.m. to time of memorial service 1 p.m. all at DeFiore Funeral Home, 10763 Dundee Road, Huntley.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bill’s name can be made to Water Mission https://watermission.org/
For further information, please call the DeFiore Funeral Home 847-515-8772 or online condolences can be posted at www.defiorefuneral.com
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Bill was a great Father, Grandfather and Husband. His family meant so much to him. He was a kind person and would help anyone. He will be missed. I remember when I was in College in Carbondale, Kathy took the train to visit me and on the weekend Bill flew down to join her. Kathy was pregnant with Ryan at the time. I got to go up in the plane with them. I still remember that!
Kathleen-I am so sorry for your loss. Bill was an awesome man and a pleasure to be with. Prayers for you and your family.
Aunt Kathy. These past few years I visited, both of you, often. I knew Uncle Bill through the eyes of a child. I got to KNOW Uncle Bill, and you, as an adult. He had a big laugh. He loved to tell stories. He talked with his hands. He loved music. He loved life to the fullest. He also loved his Family very much. I am sad he is no longer in this world. But I just KNOW that He's in Heaven telling his stories, Looking up old friends and family, like The Boogies, able to do all the things he ever wanted to do. I can SEE Him in my minds eye breaking bread with anyone who comes to the table for eternity.