William B. Motter, 74, of Mendota died Dec. 12, 2016, in his residence.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota with Deacon Ray Fischer officiating. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Mendota with military rites by VFW Post 4079. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home with a rosary at 3:30 p.m.

He was born Dec. 5, 1942, in Aurora to Harold and Loretta (Noel) Motter. He married Chere Turczyn on June 6, 1970. He was a 1962 graduate of Mendota High School and attended Wayne State University.

He was a corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps and served as a crew chief with the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron. He was awarded the Air Medal for "meritorious achievement in aerial flight" while serving in Vietnam. He was a member of the Marine Corps League, Mendota VFW Post 4079, Elks Lodge 1212 and Mendota Moose Lodge.

He was employed by the City of Mendota Police Dept. from 1967-1985 and later by the La Salle News-Tribune before his retirement. He served for a number of years as a Cubmaster.

He is survived by his wife, Chere of Mendota; three sons, Jeff (Tracy) Motter of Springfield, Chris (Jenn) Motter of Forsyth and Jason (Sarah) Motter of Mendota; four grandchildren, Abby, Ben, Aaron and Joey Motter; and a brother, Ray (Carolyn) Motter of Mendota.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Sharon Edgcomb.

Memorials may be directed to Mendota Area Christian Food Pantry or Mendota Junior Tackle.