William James Wimbiscus Jr., 86, passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2013.

Born Aug. 29, 1926, to Judge William J. and Mae (Walsh) Wimbiscus of Spring Valley, he married Eleanor Bruder Sept. 24, 1955. She survives.

He was a 1944 graduate of St. Bede Academy and then served in the U.S. Army during World War II. After graduating from the University of Illinois in 1949 with a bachelor of science degree in law, he then earned a juris doctor in law from DePaul University College of Law in 1951, passing the Illinois State Bar exam while still a student. He was admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois in 1951, the U.S. Supreme Court in 1972 and the U.S. Court of Appeals Seventh Circuit in 1981.

He joined his father, Judge William J. Wimbiscus Sr., at the Wimbiscus Law Firm in 1951. The firm was established in 1917 and continues to this day. He also served as Spring Valley City Attorney from 1965 to 1981 and DePue Village Attorney from 1975 to 2010.

He was a member of Illinois State Bar Association, past president and member of Bureau County Bar Association and a member of LaSalle-Peru-Oglesby Bar Association. He was a member and past president of St. Margaret’s Hospital Board of Directors, as well as a member of Hall Township High School Education Foundation, Prairieland Home Care Advisory Committee and Dominic O’Berto Post 182 of the American Legion. He donated legal services to many community and civic organizations.

Also surviving are six children, John (SangHui), Sarah, Bill (Sara), Tom (Maureen), Neal and Mary (Phillip) Telfer; one brother, Judge James (Jude) Wimbiscus; one sister, Jane Johnson; 11 grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Leona (Mason) Wimbiscus; and one brother, Robert (Donna) Wimbiscus.

Services have been held.