Bill & Gloria McNett

(Information primarily taken from their obituaries)

Bill was a 1947 graduate of Mount Morris High School. He went on to graduate with honors from Eureka College, where he was student body president and was active in the music areas. After serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, he went on to earn his MA and Ed.D. at Bradley University and Western Colorado University. Bill spent 13 years teaching English at Washington High and then was one of the first teachers hired when ICC in 1967, where he spent 18 years as an English professor and department chairman. He served on the WCHS School Board, Eureka Alumni Board and ICC Retirees Association and was active in the Peoria Genealogical Society and its Computer Interest Group. He also had been active in the Washington Rotary Club, Crossroads United Methodist Church and Peoria Computer Club. Bill had received honors from the White House Conference on Economic Concerns, Nu Upsilon Upsilon, Phi Delta Kappa Service Award, Who's Who in American College and Universities, Who's Who in the Midwest, NDEA Fellowship Award, Peoria County Genealogical Society Service Award and the Logsdon, Loren, Ed., Eureka Literary Magazine, Advisory Board. He also had three publications, "Community College Frontiers" (1976), "A Description and Evaluation Of a Sequential Composition Program in a Comprehensive Community College" (1975) and "The Forgotten Residents Of Peoria State Hospital" (1995).

Gloria's passion for education was evident in her impressive career. She began teaching at Lincoln Grade in Washington, Illinois, before transitioning to higher education, where she served on the faculties of both Eureka College and Illinois Central College. Across 45 years of teaching, she inspired students and left an indelible mark on our beloved community.  Gloria's commitment to her community went far beyond the classroom. She was a member and active leader in numerous organizations, including Delta Zeta Pi Chapter, the Eureka College Alumni Board, the Women's Board, Methodist Center volunteers, and P.E.O. Chapter HG. Gloria's civic engagement also included roles on the boards of Five Points, the Washington Rotary Club, Washington District 52 School Board, and Washington High School 308 Board for over 20 years. She also gave her time generously to elementary schools and was a devoted member of The Bridge Methodist Church, where she found fellowship and purpose.