1952
William
2025
William Aikman
June 16, 1952 — April 30, 2025
William Arthur Aikman, 72, of Decatur, passed away peacefully at his home on April 30, 2025, surrounded by his family following a courageous 27 month battle with pancreatic cancer.
Visitation will be 4:00 – 6:00 PM, Sunday, May 4, 2025 at Grace Methodist Church, 901 N Main St, Decatur. Funeral service will be 10:00 AM, Monday, May 5, 2025 at the church. Burial will be in Mt. Gilead Cemetery. Memorials in Bill’s honor may be made to: Grace Methodist Church, PANCAN- the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, PO Box 5041, Boone, IA 50950, online at:pancan.org, or Decatur YMCA
Bill was born June 16, 1952, in Charleston, the son of Arthur L. and Sammye L. (Swango) Aikman. He graduated from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, with a degree in Administration of Justice. Bill married Janet Combs on October 7, 1978, at Grace United Methodist Church in Decatur.
Being the son of a school teacher and then college professor, his family moved frequently to include: Loda, Onarga, Cissna Park, East Lynn, Carbondale and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Bill began his career at Brinks. He then transitioned to banking, working years at Citizens Bank, First of America, PNC Bank, Soy Capital and served as Vice President of Consumer Lending at First Mid Bank and Trust, retiring in June, 2019. He loved playing racquetball and later pickleball and going to the YMCA. Bill treasured time spent with his family, especially his grandkids. He could also be found cheering on his SIU Salukis. Bill was a very active member of Grace Methodist Church, serving on several committees. He volunteered with Meals on Wheels, was a past board member of the Decatur YMCA and former board member of the Boy Scouts of America Lincoln Trails Council. Bill was a registered member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma.
Surviving are his wife of 46 years, Janet; sons: Ryan (Amy) Aikman of Mt. Zion and Chris (Jennie) Aikman of Monticello; grandchildren: Marissa, Callie, Maggie and Jensen; brother, Robert (Susan) Aikman of Norman, OK; sister-in-law, Andrea (Ron) Smith of Decatur; several nieces and nephews; and his beloved Scottish Terrier Kayli.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his in-laws.
Bill’s family wishes to extend a special thank you to Dr. Sahai and the oncology department at Carle Foundation Hospital, Dr. Ryan Fields at Barnes Jewish Hospital and the nurses and staff at Traditions Hospice.
Visitation will be 4:00 – 6:00 PM, Sunday, May 4, 2025 at Grace Methodist Church, 901 N Main St, Decatur. Funeral service will be 10:00 AM, Monday, May 5, 2025 at the church. Burial will be in Mt. Gilead Cemetery. Memorials in Bill’s honor may be made to: Grace Methodist Church, PANCAN- the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, PO Box 5041, Boone, IA 50950, online at:pancan.org, or Decatur YMCA
Bill was born June 16, 1952, in Charleston, the son of Arthur L. and Sammye L. (Swango) Aikman. He graduated from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, with a degree in Administration of Justice. Bill married Janet Combs on October 7, 1978, at Grace United Methodist Church in Decatur.
Being the son of a school teacher and then college professor, his family moved frequently to include: Loda, Onarga, Cissna Park, East Lynn, Carbondale and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Bill began his career at Brinks. He then transitioned to banking, working years at Citizens Bank, First of America, PNC Bank, Soy Capital and served as Vice President of Consumer Lending at First Mid Bank and Trust, retiring in June, 2019. He loved playing racquetball and later pickleball and going to the YMCA. Bill treasured time spent with his family, especially his grandkids. He could also be found cheering on his SIU Salukis. Bill was a very active member of Grace Methodist Church, serving on several committees. He volunteered with Meals on Wheels, was a past board member of the Decatur YMCA and former board member of the Boy Scouts of America Lincoln Trails Council. Bill was a registered member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma.
Surviving are his wife of 46 years, Janet; sons: Ryan (Amy) Aikman of Mt. Zion and Chris (Jennie) Aikman of Monticello; grandchildren: Marissa, Callie, Maggie and Jensen; brother, Robert (Susan) Aikman of Norman, OK; sister-in-law, Andrea (Ron) Smith of Decatur; several nieces and nephews; and his beloved Scottish Terrier Kayli.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his in-laws.
Bill’s family wishes to extend a special thank you to Dr. Sahai and the oncology department at Carle Foundation Hospital, Dr. Ryan Fields at Barnes Jewish Hospital and the nurses and staff at Traditions Hospice.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William Aikman, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Grace Methodist Church
Funeral Service
Grace Methodist Church
Guestbook
Visits: 4
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors