Tim McGraw sings a song about “being somebody worth rememberin” so that when he dies there’s “Standing Room Only.”
That was 100 percent true for William “Bill” Osborne.
In a sea of flannels, because that’s what Bill would’ve wanted people to wear, some waited more than 2-1/2 hours to pay their respects on Thursday, January 16.
It was said Osborne cared about every single person he met.
A lifelong resident, he graduated in 1975, and his future wife, Vickie Wright, graduated in 1977. They married and built a life together, being married for 44 years, while having three children and nine grandchildren.
Bill dedicated more than 30 years to the fire service to the Peotone community. He began as a volunteer firefighter in 1977 and served as a certified Firefighter III, Fire Apparatus Engineer, and Hazardous Materials Technician.
The Manhattan Fire Department said Osborne was a key participant in the committee that developed and built the current Peotone Fire Station. Osborne also utilized his knowledge and skills to help create sleeping quarters that allowed for 24-hour coverage. The Manhattan Fire Department said his contributions were too many to count, and the department would not be what it is today if it weren’t for his efforts. He was promoted to Battalion Chief in 2002 and served until his retirement in 2008.
He continued on as a Fire Commissioner and worked on hiring practices for full-time employees, then was elected as a trustee for the Peotone Fire Protection District in 2021. MFPD said, “he remained a guiding light for improving the organization he cherished for decades.”
MFPD Deputy Chief and friend Dave Piper shared, “This weekend at the services, I heard a powerful story from a young firefighter. He recounted an incident involving a hen house fire at a large restaurant that was fully engulfed in flames. The crew was advancing a hose line up an outside stairwell to attack the fire, when Bill, who was a captain at the time, arrived. He saw the crew on the stairs and quickly realized the dangerous fire conditions. He ordered the crew to back down the stairs. Frustrated that they could not engage the fire, the young firefighters complied and moved away. Just moments after they vacated the stairs, the roof collapsed right where they had been standing. The firefighter reflected on how Bill genuinely saved their lives that day.
“Bill was a true leader within the fire service. He took many young firefighters under his wing – teaching, mentoring, and guiding us through countless lessons over the years. He cared deeply about each of us, the fire department, and our community. He held high expectations but was always willing to lend a hand to help us reach our best. Bill was a man of exceptional integrity. He always did what he believed was right, no matter how challenging that path might be. He was a caring individual, who kept his word; if he said he would do something, he followed through. Bill was someone you could always rely on, whether you needed help with a task or needed someone to tell you the truth.
“One of the fond memories I have of Bill is how he taught us to make pancakes for the pancake breakfasts we hosted at the fire station. He would instruct, “Place each pancake like this, and wait until you see bubbles forming before you flip them.” He also had a playful side. One time, while we were making pancakes, he had that mischievous grin on his face as he grabbed the plastic lid from a coffee can. He mixed the pancake batter and cleverly hid the lid inside the batter on the griddle. When he served the pancake to an unsuspecting friend, he watched as they tried to cut into it and discovered the plastic lid. Bill burst into laughter at the reaction!”
Former mayor, firefighter, and friend Steve Cross shared, “When I joined the Peotone Fire Department in 1981 as a 19-year-old, Bill Osborne immediately became one of my mentors. He, along with Randy Murray, Terry Brozowski, Jeff Oliver, Dennis Soucie, Clay Ivanoff, and a host of “older Guys,” were there right along side of him. Not only were Bill and this entire group mentors, but they almost immediately became brothers and friends. It is funny looking back that they all were only in their early 20s, but their life experience made them seem so much older. Through the years, we watched Bill and Vickie’s family expand and grow. Anytime we ever had a home improvement project going on, Bill was always on speed dial and did not hesitate to take time out of his busy schedule to help us. Bill’s dedication as a member of the fire department and then as a trustee of the fire district will have a forever lasting impact on our community. Bill’s friendship and brotherhood will always be in Nancy’s and my hearts.”
Bill was a great neighbor, always waving or stopping to chat. He offered neighbors help to fix anything and offered homeowners advice with ease. He had an infectious smile that could make anyone laugh.
He was mechanically inclined and somewhat of a Mr. Fix It. He retired from Nicor after 30 years. So many people shared stories of how he installed a water heater, or fixed a furnace, or just gave advice on what to do next.
Countless stories of laughter, smiles, and a caring hand to help are being shared all over. He loved to crack jokes and laugh. He made people laugh infectiously.
Bill was easy to interview, quick to correct, and always said The Vedette was doing a great job.
The joy of small towns is you get to know everyone and, if you’re lucky, you get to know a guy like Bill Osborne. One who lived a life worth living, deserving of “standing room only.