William Bernard Nagy

Dateline: Alton William Bernard Nagy, age 90 died at 5:35 a.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2014. Born June 19, 1924 in Divernon, IL, he was the son of Frank Nagy Sr. and Terez (Csak) Nagy. Bill was raised in the Catholic Children’s Home in Alton, graduated from Marquette High School attended Shurtleff College and SIUE. He served in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during WWII as a gunner’s mate. During his service he participated in the D-Day Invasion on Omaha Beach and also survived the sinking of two ships that he served on. He retired as an engineer from Gould’s Pumps in St. Louis, MO in 1992. On May 28, 1949 he married the former Dorothy Collins. She survives. Together they raised two children Dennis Nagy (fiancé Karen Cooper) and Gayle Hill Poehlman (Bruce) of Godfrey. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Kristopher Nagy (Sarah), Brian Nagy, Matthew Nagy, Eleanor Nagy, Patrick Nagy, Ryan Hill, Nathan Hill and Chester Hill IV (Ashley), 11 great grandchildren, three brothers, Frank Nagy Jr. (June), James Nagy (Marilyn) of Jacksonville and John Nagy (Helen) of Moro. Bill enjoyed ballroom and square dancing, vegetable gardening, photography, creating stained glass art and was a tournament bridge player. He loved building and repairing just about anything. He was a past president of Owens Illinois Camera Club, P.T.A. President, life member of the VFW Post 1308 and President of the Senior Citizens of Fosterburg. Bill attended leadership training at Philmont Boy Scout Ranch, and served as Cubmaster, Scoutmaster of the Boy Scouts of America and took a group of scouts to the National Jamboree at Valley Forge. He and his wife traveled worldwide and hosted an exchange student, Teofilo Tostes, of Brazil. He proudly traveled with Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 at Gent Funeral Home in Alton. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alton. Burial will be at Upper Alton Cemetery with full military honors. He leaves his loving family with many cherished memories. Memorials may be made to Honor Flight or memorial of one’s choice. PDF Printable Version

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William Bernard Nagy

June 19, 1924 - December 13, 2014