C W Dickey, 81, of Somonauk and formerly of Mendota, passed away February 26, 2021 at Northwestern Delnor Hospital in Geneva.

C W, better know as "Bill", was born April 6, 1939 in Oak Brook to Earl and Veronica (Drager) Dickey.

Bill graduated from Mendota High School in 1957, where he enjoyed playing football and track. He joined the United States Army in 1959 where he was stationed in Verdun, France for two years and played football. In 1962 he was called back to duty for the Berlin Crisis.

He married Brenda Burley on May 6, 1961. They raised a son William "Bill" and a daughter Paula. They lived most of their married life in Oswego. Bill started his first ride rental business in 1963, Dickey & Dickey Rides, followed by two other ride rental businesses, Illinois Entertainment & Attractions (IEA) and B&G Amusements. He was also the owner of a rental store in Las Vegas, Nevada from 1981-1989.

He is survived by his wife Brenda of Somonauk; son William "Bill" (Lori) Dickey of Apache Junction, AZ.; daughter Paula (Lari) Gibson of Oswego; brother Michael Dickey of Mendota; special sister-in-law Cora Larsen of Flossmoor; grandchildren include Nevada (Brian) Toner, Trent (Sarah) Gibson, Morgan (Mike) LeCuyer and Noah Dickey; 10 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, mother and brother Tom.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota is assisting the family.

Memorials may be directed to Mendota Area Senior Services, Mendota VFW Post 4079 or St. Jude Children's Hospital.