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William Mennella

Visitation Date: Saturday, March 27, 2021
Visitation Time: 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Funeral Date: Saturday, March 27th, 2021
Funeral Time: 11:00 am
Place of Funeral: Chapel Service at Salerno's Rosedale Chapels
Funeral Notes: During visiting hours, it is still recommended to follow the current State of Illinois Guidelines, and guests should continue to wear masks and practice social distancing.
Interment: All Saints Cemetery

William M. Mennella, Loving Son of the late Sam and Angela (nee Capozziello); Dear Brother of Steve (Cheryl) Mennella and Michael (Peggy) Mennella; Dear Uncle of Jason (Allie), Mennella; Cassandra (Paul) Tschammer, Nicholas (Amanda) Mennella and Sam Mennella; Fond Great Uncle of Maeve, Kenneth Charles “KC”, Hunter and Mia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Funeral Home

Salerno's Rosedale Chapels

Phone: (630) 889-1700
Address: 450 W. Lake Street Roselle IL, 60172

Church Details

Chapel Service at Salerno's Rosedale Chapels

Phone: (630) 889-1700
Address: 450 W. Lake St. Roselle Illinois, 60172
Service Date: March 27th 2021
Funeral Time: 11:00 am

Interment Details

All Saints Cemetery

Phone: 847-298-04500
Address: 700 N. River Road Des Plaines IL, 60016

Guestbook


Posted by:
Scott Jones

Posted on:
Saturday, April 10, 2021

Bill was my oldest friend as we first met in 1st grade, 60 yrs ago. We lived about 3 blks from one another and were pretty inseperable. So much so that our 3rd grade teacher told both of our mothers on student conference day that they should keep us apart as depending on which mother the the teacher was speaking with that the other boy was a bad influence on her son. TOO FUNNY!! Anyway, over the years, Bill and I have had a TON of memories, many the same as others here and way to many to list let alone discuss but there is one special one that happened when we were 8 or 9 yrs old. Even at that young an age, Bill was looking for an edge and he came up with a most ingeniuous way to collect bottle caps. Back then, Coke would have pics of either baseball or football players on the inside of the caps. There were no cans back then so all soft drinks came in bottles. The game was to collect all the different players to glue down on entry forms to get collections that in turn you would redeem for various prizes. We lived right across from a Howard Johnson's hotel and Bill came up with the idea to glue a magnet to the end of a small piece of wood. People in the hotel would buy a coke and then use the bottle opened on the vending machine to open the coke. We could now just put the magnet down into the box that held the caps and pull out 10, 15, 20 caps at a time. The hotel had at least 6 machines so we would clean up. We also did this at gas stations and drug stores. Appearently, some guests in the hotel didn't approval so eventually it became a cat and mouse game between us and hotel security. Having to now sneek in and try to blend with the guests just made the whole adventure that much more fun. GREAT memories, GREAT friend....Bill will be GREATLY missed! I love you, Billy. P.S. Don't be fussy, bet Busse.

Posted by:
Lindsey Cobb

Posted on:
Thursday, April 1, 2021

I had the pleasure of working with Bill at Weber and he was so pleasant and kind. I missed seeing him on a regular basis over the last year and it won't be the same without him when we are back on a regular basis. He was so helpful and always had a smile on his face. My deepest sympathies to Bill's family. May he rest in peace. Lindsey Cobb

Posted by:
Larry Medrano

Posted on:
Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Like many of Bill’s friends I had been fortunate enough to meet Bill while growing up in Des Plaines. We shared many classes together and while at Maine West we were in the same homeroom for four wonderful years. We had mutual friends that had played sports together, in a small but connected world. A year ago, I had joined the Weber team in Palatine, last year while walking into HQ, Bill was at the front welcome desk, unknowingly I had emailed Bill’s department asking for some assistance. As I walked into HQ that day Bill looked up at me and asked are you Larry Medrano and did you go to Maine West, I smiled and said you are, all he had to say was Bill as I recognized his voice and smile. From that day on we would meet for lunch (no more solo lunches at my desk) and we had a great time catching up, talking about Jr High, High School, teachers, classmates, class reunions, landscaping, tree trimming and the day-to-day stuff. I looked forward to having lunch with Bill and I would adjust my meeting schedule to meet Bill’s lunch schedule. Bill will be missed at HQ, as he was a friend to all, me personally I will happily remember meeting Bill in Des Plaines and most importantly at the front welcome desk! Bill, lunch has not been the same since you left us but there will always be that smile! Rest in peace!

Posted by:
Scott Kisslinger

Posted on:
Tuesday, March 23, 2021

I knew Bill and his brothers from when their family moved to Des Plaines about 55 years ago. A lot of our free time growing up was spent playing sports with the other guys who lived in Des Plaines Manor. You name it, it seemed like we played it…slow-pitch and fast-pitch baseball, softball, basketball, football, hockey, and golf. As skilled an athlete as Bill was in several sports, I think many would agree he was a man among boys in slow-pitch, 16-inch softball. After we all moved away from Des Plaines, Bill was the one who stayed in touch with everyone. He was the reason why many in the old neighborhood stayed connected as they did. I respected his easy-going, accepting nature, and great sense of humor. He was well-liked by everyone. I had heard that when Bill was once let go during a corporate downsizing, a group of remaining employees launched a “Bring back Bill” campaign! I was amazed when I heard what his former coworkers had done, but I wasn’t as much surprised… this was just another example that showed the impact Bill’s life had made on those who knew him. He will be greatly missed

Posted by:
Craig conner

Posted on:
Sunday, March 21, 2021

He well be ever in my memories as one of my best friends. Bill loved sports we played whiff l ball pick off the off brick warming house around south park. Went bike riding numerous times out by schaumburg.Marshall sayad sometimes joined us. we played golf etc.We went to an eagle concert in Rosemount and got higher than a kite inhaling all the Marijuana. We even took a few puffs when they passed around.some of my puffs were gulps. Anyway he would come to some of our family shindigs and celebrated with us .We also played softball tackle and touch football which was really like rugby.Also golf & baseball. Later on as we grew older and didn't play our rough and tumble sports we were gentlemen andplsyed poker. There was always the same 5 and we took times switching homes to play in we drank beer etc no dope darn. And of course we were perfect respectful kind to each other. Really we hurled insults between us but it was just guy stuff. A sad point is that 3 of the 5 are now gone so no more poker.believe me when I tell you he was the salt of the earth. And now he's looking at us saying I'm on and in heaven. My friend you will fore ever in my heart mind and soul. Thanks for the 50 + years. You are a true friend bye bye

Posted by:
Mike Msyer

Posted on:
Friday, March 19, 2021

I was lucky to call Bill a friend! Leaving Illinois in the 80's our contact reduced to phone calls, my return trips or the Arizona Cub spring season visit. Over the decades, Bill had his comfortable way with friends... interested in our family, sharing his experiences, positive about friends, the past and future. Once Pokorny & Sully organized the Bruin's, playing together on the Elgin ball field for years was great fun. Bill made our life better. High tribute to a wonderful man we will all miss.

Posted by:
Michael D Wrenn

Posted on:
Thursday, March 18, 2021

I wish we could climb into Bills time machine and set the date for 1965. I'd be on my bike riding down the street towards our park. When I got there at least one but probably all of the gang would be there. We'd play every sport in the book. Baseball, football, basketball and yes sometime even soccer. My friend Bill was a little better then average at any sport we played, unlike me. Almost every day we'd all be there. Grant, Bill his brothers Steve and Mike, Rich and Larry, Dennis, Mike S. and me. As we grew older our days at the park turned into nights in our cars cruising Des Plaines and hanging out TOGETHER. Bills apartment was a favorite gathering spot. We'd play poker, watch football and even bring our VCR's to Bills to record movies because his apartment building was one of the 1st to have a satellite dish on the roof. Most of us got married and moved to other suburbs but through the years and through the trials and tribulations of raising our families and working we'd manage a few times a year to get together and usually that was at Bills house. The last year was a real challenge for friendships for everyone. We managed a few card games towards the end of the pandemic but by then some had moved away and some were being cautious. When Bill passed it had been well over a year since I saw him. Poker and Superbowls will never be quite the same however it will be a time as a group we can reflect on our time being a friend of Bill. Until we meet again.

Posted by:
Mike Sullivan

Posted on:
Thursday, March 18, 2021

Bill was my friend for over 50 years. He was the glue that kept our group of friends from the old neighborhood in Des Plaines together. Our regular poker games and other events were always organized by him. As many of us started to leave Illinois for greener pastures, Bill was the one who kept us all informed and brought us back together when we got back into town. I played on many softball teams with Willy and he was the MAN. The number 3 hitter and left fielder in the lineup, he carried the team on his back many many nights. A gentle soul who would give you the shirt off his back or a funny one liner when you needed it. This one hurts, as we get older and know our days are numbered, you don't want to be attending events like this. I will be there for my buddy as we send him off because I know he would have been there for me like he always was when I needed a pick me up. I look forward to seeing you soon Bill, just not yet, not yet. Love you pal!

Posted by:
David Stoutenburg

Posted on:
Thursday, March 18, 2021

Karyl and I will miss you dearly. We are blessed that you are our son Jay’s God Father

Posted by:
E DeCicco

Posted on:
Wednesday, March 17, 2021

When I was a kid I thought it was awesome that you had a DeLorean. When I came to Chicago you threw a cousin party for me and Andrea. You've always been so kind and helpful and it's a very sad time. Sending a hug to you wherever you are. Someplace really nice, I'm sure.-- I'm so sorry everyone. Love you.