Bill E. Koeneman, 80, renowned golfer, real estate and insurance broker from Chester, IL, suffered a massive stroke on Tuesday, November 15, and died at 11:25 am on Wednesday, November 16, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Bill was born to the late Bruno William and Marguerite (nee: Finley) Koeneman in Sparta, IL, on March 6, 1931. He attended Steeleville High School and graduated from Chester High School, where he was later inducted into their sports Hall of Fame. Koeneman attended St. Louis University (SLU) and played basketball for the Billikens. During Koeneman's tenure with the Billikens, they played in the NIT and NCAA basketball tournaments and won the Sugar Bowl Basketball Tournament. Koeneman and his teammates were inducted into the St. Louis University Hall of Fame. Koeneman was an R.O.T.C. graduate from SLU with a degree in Business Administration and entered the US Air Force as a Second Lieutenant. He served as a supply officer and was a player/coach for the Southeast United States SAC Base basketball team in Albany, GA. Bill married Jo Rushing on August 7, 1954, at the First Presbyterian Church in Chester. Bill and Jo have two children, Kim (Dale) Knight (Phoenix, AZ) and Brad (Lynn) Koeneman (Clayton, MO). They have four grandchildren: Erin Jo Harris (Denver, CO); Wilson Glover "Beau" (Meagan) Harris IV (Claremont, CA); Bradford Drew Koeneman (Washington, D.C.), and Kimberly Blair Koeneman (Clayton, MO). Bill is survived by his brother Don P. (Mary Ann) Koeneman (Chester, IL), his sister, Kay (Bob) Sobo (O'Fallon, MO), and their children. Bill and Jo owned and operated Koeneman Agency Real Estate and Insurance in Southern Illinois and Missouri. He was formerly president of The Bank of Evansville (IL). Bill was a founding member of Chester Country Club and helped design two golf courses in Chester, one at Fort Kaskaskia State Park and the existing club. He was a member of the CCC board of directors for 36 years, serving as president for six years. Bill and Jo sponsored the Koeneman Golf Classic for 40 years and were active in promoting many other events at CCC. Bill was a member of the Elks, American Legion Alva Courier Post #487 and the First Presbyterian Church in Chester. An avid golfer, Koeneman won numerous golf tournaments and was inducted into the Southern Illinois Golf Association Hall of Fame in 1997. Bill served on the Board of Directors of the Chicago District Golf Association for 20 years and in 2008, he received their Past President's Award for Meritorious Service. He was the radio voice for the CDGA. He also served on the Southern Illinois Golf Association Board for 44 years and was president for 2 years. Bill attended The Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, GA, for many years and was recently given an award from The Masters for broadcasting the tournament for 25 years. He played Augusta National four times and played in The Bob Hope Desert Classic twice. Over his golfing career he scored an amazing nine holes in one! Koeneman played with many notables throughout the years including Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, President Gerald Ford, Tommy Aaron, Dutch Harrison, Peter Jacobson, Bob Goalby, Ken Venturi, Gene Littler, Don Meredith, and Evel Knievel. Funeral Service: 1:00 pm, Saturday, November 19, 2011 Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home, Chester, IL Officiating: Rev. Marvin "Bud" Bennett Visitation: Saturday, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home, Chester, IL Interment: Paradise Cemetery Steeleville, Illinois In lieu of flowers Memorials may be made to: First Presbyterian Church, Chester, IL
