William J. Weber

William John Weber, 84, of Crystal Lake, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 4, 2026. Born in Chicago on February 10, 1942, he was the son of William Joseph and Vivian (Costello) Weber. Bill married Michele (Bernardini Pionke) in 1969, and together they built a life centered on family, work, and community.

An accomplished artist and lifelong educator, Bill earned three art degrees at Northern Illinois University and spent 45 years teaching art, photography, and digital imaging at the high school and college levels. Early in his career he taught art levels K-8 in Summit School District 104. He then taught and served as Division Leader at Lake Zurich Senior High School and served as an adjunct at Elgin Community College and McHenry County College. Teaching was more than a career to him. He loved his work and was proud of his students. He modeled what it meant to be an artist, and helped them discover their own creative abilities.

Bill was an accomplished artist and photographer whose work was exhibited in individual and group shows in the Midwest and the West. He exhibited at The Graham Museum in Wheaton and the Chicago Art Institute’s Sales and Rental Gallery, at the Hubbard Museum in New Mexico and in galleries in Illinois, Iowa, and Colorado. His work was published in Christianity Today, and he won numerous awards.

A creative and gifted soul, Bill was always intrigued by new media and new vistas. He loved to travel and forged work inspired by nature and civilizations of the past. He carried his paints and cameras to capture images and ideas. Life for him was an adventure that he shared with family and friends. He was a loyal husband, father and grandfather, and he cared for all his cousins and family. He was a Roman Catholic and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Bill enjoyed nature and sports. He spent hours hiking and fishing in the Southern Colorado mountains with family and friends. He jogged, biked, played tennis and golf, and helped mount art exhibits for the community. He enjoyed watching birds and wildlife and evening sunsets.

Bill is survived by his wife Michele; children William James Weber of Gilberts and Lara McLellan of Minneapolis; daughter-in-law Kristina (Kruger) Weber and son-in-law Ian McLellan; grandchildren Liam and Ethan Weber and Isla and Lina McLellan; sisters and brothers-in-law and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Bill’s family acknowledges with gratitude the loving care he received in his final years at Melody Living.

He was preceded in death by his parents William and Vivian Weber.

A Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 14, from 4pm until 8pm at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake. Visitation will continue Thursday morning, October 15 from 9am until a service at 10:30am at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Windridge Memorial Park, Cary.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Cuchara Chapel Scholarship Fund which honors graduating seniors from Huerfano County Colorado schools, P.O.Box 796, La Veta, CO 81055.