William J. Tell of Indian Creek, beloved husband of Mary nee Morris; loving father of Laura (Brandon) Roel and Cassie; cherished grandfather of Sophie and Will; dear brother of Chris (the late Mike) Grene, Betsy (Carey) Hidaka and Dan (Alice); fond uncle of Kiki (Johan) and Jessie Grene, Dan (Katie), Cait (Brian), Chris (Sam) and Sean (Bita) Hidaka, and Bob (Marisa) and Ducky (Justin) Tell. Memorial visitation at Simkins Funeral Home 6251 Dempster St. Morton Grove Thursday 4 to 8 PM. Family and friends will meet at St. Martha Church 8523 Georgiana Ave. Morton Grove Friday for 10 AM Memorial Mass. William James Tell was born to Bill and Betty Tell on July 19th, 1952. He died in his home surrounded by the loving presence of his wife Mary, daughters Laura and Cassie, and Cassie's beloved partner Alex on May 18th, 2024. Bill attended St. Martha's Grammar School for grades K-8, followed by Notre Dame High School for Boys in Niles, graduating from Notre Dame in 1970. Subsequent to high school, Bill owned a gas station in Morton Grove at the corner of Austin and Lincoln, followed by his own transport company a few years later. He began working for Illinois Bell in 1979 and eventually took a management position with AT&T. He remained in that position until he retired in March 2023.

In 1981, while working at Bell, Bill met the love of his life, Mary Catherine Morris, at the Bringer Inn, a local establishment in Morton Grove. They married in 1982 and raised two beautiful children in Vernon Hills/Indian Creek, of whom he was immensely proud. Over the years, Bill was a coach for his daughters' sports teams, on the zoning board of Indian Creek, and recently received well-deserved recognition from AT&T for the outstanding project he managed at O'Hare Airport.

In addition to a successful career with Illinois Bell/ AT&T, Bill had numerous gifts for building beautiful things, fixing anything that confounded most people, was competent with anything electric or technical, and rarely needed instructions. A skilled craftsman, his work was organized, methodical and usually perfect. He had high expectations for those he managed, but none higher than those he held for himself.

Bill deeply loved his family and his home, taking his grandchildren for a ride on his ride-on lawn mower, adding a beautiful screened in porch to the back of his home, barbequing in his beautiful backyard, having a beer with friends and family, and collecting Fannie May Candy. Over the years, Bill and Mary adopted and loved several rescue dogs. Most recently, a blind miniature pincher named Josie took up residence in his heart. Josie moved in with Bill and Mary in October 2023. It seems Bill was meant to be surrounded by yet one more beautiful being.

Despite battling cancer for the last four and a half years, Bill worked full time for the first three of those years, never complaining about the brutal chemo treatments that extended his life.

Always a big and strong man physically, Bill grew even larger spiritually and emotionally during the end stage of his life. We like to think that his spirit could no longer be contained by his physical body. He will always be larger than life to those who knew and loved him, and will reside in our hearts forever. Rest in peace WJT.

In lieu of flowers, donations to The American Cancer Society 225 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1200 Chicago, IL 60601 appreciated.