Alfred William “Bill” Poteete

March 29, 1957 – April 15, 2026

Alfred William “Bill” Poteete, 69, of Charleston, Illinois, passed away on April 15, 2026.

Bill was born on March 29, 1957, in St. Charles, Missouri.

From an early age, Bill had a natural ability to work with his hands and solve problems. He attended North County Technical School, where he rose to the top of his class. His talent didn’t go unnoticed. In 1977, he was recruited to Charleston, Illinois, where he built his family, his business, and his life.

In 1975, Bill met Gale Hansard of Douglasville, Georgia, while both were on vacation in Hawaii. What began as a chance encounter turned into a long-distance relationship that neither of them let go of. They shared the same birthday, something that always felt a little serendipitous. In 1978, they married and began building a life together, one they shared for 47 years.

Charleston became more than just where Bill lived. It became part of who he was. It was where he and Gale raised their daughters, Kristy and Marie. It was also where Bill became a familiar presence in the community. Everywhere he went, people stopped him to say hello, and he was never too busy for a conversation.

Bill was a kind and gentle soul who loved deeply. He had a special love for children and animals, and time with his grandchildren meant so much to him. He was happiest outside, building treehouses, hanging tire swings, pulling wagons, or showing the kids how to use science to blow things up. It wasn’t uncommon to find him in a tree or on a roof, fully in his element, with kids close behind.

Bill owned and managed Poteete HVAC in Charleston. Over the years, he helped many people and had a soft spot for people who needed help. He treated his customers like neighbors. On many occasions, he braved dangerous weather to make sure the elderly and the sick had heat. He was incredibly skilled at his job. For 23 years, he worked alongside Wes, who became like a son to him. In recent years, Bill hired Jake, who also grew to be like family. They spent their days working side by side.

Bill was a simple man. He didn’t need or ask for much. After a long day’s work, he loved to sit in his favorite recliner with his dogs or out on the back porch, quietly listening to nature. He was a hard worker and an avid lover of the outdoors, a quality he instilled in his children. From dogs to deer to chickens, he loved it all, even the less lovable things, occasionally bringing home large snakes, much to Gale’s dismay.

Bill was a loving son and brother. As the only boy among four siblings, he grew up keeping his sisters on their toes. His sense of humor showed up early. One time, he connected speakers to the heating vents and played haunting sounds through the house at night, getting a kick out of terrifying his sisters. But underneath the mischief was deep love.

As adults, Bill and his sisters shared a lasting bond through both joyful and difficult seasons. He especially loved gardening and learning to preserve food with his sister Kathy. With Dana, he shared a mutual interest in raising chickens, something they enjoyed learning together. And he had a special connection with his baby sister Debbie. They were so much alike and shared a love of fixing things and working with their hands, often talking about opening their own repair shop someday.

Bill was a prankster. He was fun. He loved to make people laugh and never took himself too seriously. Some of my favorite memories are of my dad and me teaming up to prank my mom, usually by scaring her, often leaving her completely exasperated. But when it came time for consequences, Marie and I always knew to go to Dad. He was a softy, and I was always his little girl.

In the days since his passing, we have received hundreds of messages, many from people we don’t even know, sharing how much Bill impacted them. Again and again, people say the same thing: he was just a good guy. At one point, Bill wrote that he hoped to live his life in such a way that when he was gone, he would be missed. In the days since, it is clear that his quiet wish was realized many times over.

Those who knew him well speak of a friendship that was easy, steady, and real. He was someone you could talk to about anything. He laughed easily and often. And he was there for the people he loved.

To many, he was “Uncle Bill,” a role he stepped into naturally. He showed young people what it meant to work hard, take pride in what you do, and still find joy in the process. For some, he was more than that, a steady presence, a mentor, and in many ways, a father figure. He didn’t make a show of it. He simply showed up.

Bill is deeply loved and will be missed by his wife, Gale; his daughters, Kristy and Marie; his sisters, Dana, Debbie, and Kathy; and a large, close-knit group of grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, as well as Chela, Oscar, and Anu, who became part of the family and also called him Dad. He is also survived by his mother, Peggy Hayes, whom he loved dearly.

More than anything, Bill will be remembered for the way he lived—with kindness, humility, and a quiet generosity that touched more people than he likely ever realized.

Celebration of Life

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Thursday, April 23 at the Brick Pavilion at Fox Ridge State Park in Charleston, Illinois.

Family, friends, and members of the community are invited to gather from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM to share stories, remember Bill, and honor his life. Time before and after the gathering will be reserved for private family moments.

In Lieu of Flowers

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes support for Gale during this time. A link to contribute can be found here: https://gofund.me/99240f8dc