ISBA Laureate William F. “Bill” Costigan, 88, of Bloomington, died at 4:25 p.m. Friday (Nov. 14, 2014) at his home surrounded by his family.

Bill was born Feb. 6, 1926, in Bloomington, the son of Will F. and Madalon Carroll Costigan. He married Marilyn Cassidy on Nov. 29, 1952, in Peoria. Marilyn preceded Bill in death, along with three of their children, Mary, Bill and Diane Costigan.

Surviving are five daughters, Ann (Dean) Davis, Sally (Michael) Sprague, Katie (Tom) Kloss, Susie (Jim) Derry, Christy (Steve) King; and one son, Casey (Beth) Costigan. Bill was blessed with 28 grandchildren, all of whom adored their “Pappa Bill,” as well as three great-grandchildren.

In 1995, Bill married Connie Sloan in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. She survives in addition to her three children, Steve (Marcy) Sloan, Cheryl (Jerry) Parsel and Kim (Michael) Coolbroth; and her seven grandchildren.

Bill attended Washington Grade School, Bloomington High School and the University of Illinois. He received a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Illinois and started his law practice with the firm of Costigan, Wollrab & Yoder.

Bill’s love of the law was evident in the integrity and devotion in which he practiced his profession. He was passionately involved throughout his career in all aspects of the law. He was president of the McLean County Bar Association in 1976, on the board of the Illinois State Bar Association from 1984 to 1993, participated in several Allerton House Conferences on Civil Practices and Procedures and was on a special Committee of ISBA for Recommendations for the Redistricting of the Federal Courts of Illinois.

Bill had a long service in lawyer disciplinary matters, dating to when disciplinary recommendations were made by an inquiry committee of the Illinois State Bar Association to the Supreme Court. After the establishment of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, Bill was chairman of the Inquiry Division, the Hearing Division and the Review Board.

He was an assistant attorney general, working with the Department of Transportation and Department of Conservation. He was a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, a member of the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel and Defense Research Institute. Bill was chairman of the Character and Fitness Committee for Admission to the Illinois Bar, Fourth District.

In 2002, Bill was named a Laureate of the Illinois State Bar Association, an honor awarded to those deemed to exemplify the highest ideals of the law profession. He also received the Lincoln Award of Excellence from the McLean County Bar Association.

Bill devoted his time and energy in serving his community. He was a past director of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce, past president of the YMCA and a past member of the McLean County Planning and Zoning Commission.

Bill was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and served for many years as a trustee and as chairman of the Finance Committee. In 2005, Bill received the Pere Marquette Award, which recognizes selfless contributions to the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Peoria.

He was active in Knights of Columbus Council 57. He served as Grand Knight of the council, was a district deputy for the Knights of Columbus and was a member of the Exemplification Team of the 4th Degree for many years.

He was a member of the Community Board of St. Joseph's Medical Center and was a division chairman for the construction of today’s OSF St. Joseph Medical Center. He was a board member of Bloomington Country Club, Loyal Order of the Moose and Seafood Club.

Bill was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity and Phi Delta Phi professional fraternity at the University of Illinois. He served with the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946 in the South Philippines.

His lifelong best friend and sister, Sue Reidy, also survives Bill. His other three sisters, Carroll Crosthwait, Sally Kruger and Joan Costigan, preceded him in death.

For the past three and a half years, Bill’s life has been graced by his “buddy” and caretaker, George.

There are so many friends, relatives and beloved family rejoicing in heaven that Bill has finally joined them. Heaven’s gain is certainly our loss. Goodbye to the most wonderful husband, father, father-in-law, Pappa, brother, mentor and friend we have known. The celebration of your life has just begun!

His funeral was held on Tuesday, November 18, at Holy Trinity Church, Bloomington.

Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 711 N. Main St., Bloomington, IL 61701.

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