William (Bill) Paul Colson

September 15, 1937 - January 21, 2022

William (Bill) Paul Colson, age 84, lifelong Chicago area resident, recently of St. James City, Pine Island, Florida passed away peacefully on Friday, January 21, 2022.  Beloved son of the late Paul and Eileen Colson (nee Scott); adored father of Candace (Donald) Mitchell, Leah (Patrick) Carney, Paul (Stephanie) and Brian (Teresa); loving grandfather of 11 grandchildren, Kate, Matthew, and Michael Mitchell, Brianna and Patrick Jr. Carney, Sophia, Olivia, and Jack Colson,  Finn, Madelyn and Grace Colson, as well as his spirited dog, Sebastian.  Dear older brother to his sisters, Judi Ross, and Kathi (Bob) Mele, his sister-in-law, Ann Kearney, and nieces, nephews, and many Scott cousins.  He was a loyal friend to many especially his dear friend Jane Lavelle; his trusted right hand for decades, Zoe Swanson; and his companion, Meredith “Deanie” Peper of Saint James City, FL. Bill was preceded in death by his former wife, Lenore T. Colson.

Bill was a proud graduate of Leo High School 1955, John Carroll University 1959 and Northwestern School of Law 1962. He was also a proud member of the U.S Army Judge Advocate General Corps.    Truly respected by all who knew him, Bill dedicated his professional life to the pursuit of law, politics, and entrepreneurial endeavors.  He was a lifelong Southside Chicago Cubs fan, an avid fisherman, devoted to his golf game and lowering his handicap.

A celebration of Bill’s wonderful life will be held at Chicago Highlands Club (Cabana) 2 Bluebird Trail, Westchester, Illinois on Sunday, March 6, 2022 from 1 to 5 p.m. (Open House). Interment will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Leo High School at leohighschool.org. or mail to 7901 South Sangamon, Chicago, IL 60620.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.

Guestbook

  1. Kathleen Geraghty Jan 26, 2022 at 9:42 pm

    Very sorry for the Colson Family’s loss. I have the pleasure of knowing two of his greatest achievements, Candace and Paul. My condolences to all.

  2. Margaret Lisle Jan 28, 2022 at 2:08 pm

    I was so saddened today to learn of Bill’s passing. He was a big part of my working life going back to the politics of the 19th Ward in Chicago in the 1970’s. He remained a mentor and friend ever after. We lost track when he moved to Florida but I will always be grateful for that friendship. Peg (Cusack) Lisle

  3. Deanie Peper Jan 30, 2022 at 4:23 pm

    BIll Colson was a wonderful man. He was an amazing person to all who knew him. He lov.ed his family dearly. It was a treasure to know him. His kind and gentle heart,his caring and generosity was known by all who knew him Bill blessed my life. The joy and happiness we brough in each other,s lives, will be in my heart forever. I will cherish the time and memories we had together. I will miss you terribly, My heart is broken. RIP. Deanie Peper

  4. Bob King Feb 1, 2022 at 12:24 pm

    Bill was a good and decent guy, an incomparable lawyer AND most importantly, he was my friend. I’m a better person for having known him. And I’ll miss him…really.

  5. Kathryn Shaffer Feb 2, 2022 at 4:35 pm

    Bill was a good and true friend, especially to my husband, Jack Shaffer..

  6. Jack Shaffer Feb 2, 2022 at 7:11 pm

    So many great fun memories – golf trips, fishing trips, traveling to Europe and Caribbean. Thinking of the Greek Islands,Paros and being your best man when you married Jane. Dinner two or three times each month at our table at Cocco Pozzo. Introducing Bill to Norm and Bob – a great partnership. Bill was a great friend for more than forty years. He will be missed more than people will know. My sincere condolences to Paul, Candace, Brian and Leah. Your father was a smart, kind and special person. His advice was always kind and wise.

  7. Janet Joyce Feb 3, 2022 at 3:00 pm

    Candace, Leah, Paul, and Brian,
    We send our thoughts and prayers to all of you on the death of your Dad. So many fond memories of long ago.
    Jim and Janet Joyce

  8. Terry Kunes Feb 3, 2022 at 4:11 pm

    One of a kind, Best friend to everyone who knew him. Very Loyal. I personaly never met a better person. The Very Best Attorny I ever Met!
    Love you Bill, I Miss You Already!
    Terry Kunes

  9. Zoe Swanson Feb 3, 2022 at 5:00 pm

    I am grateful to have known and worked with Bill for most of my life. He was a wise, kind, and generous person–always helping someone–with a quick wit and a good sense of humor. Everyone liked Bill, and the world was a better place with him in it. My sympathy goes out to all of his family and friends. May his memory be eternal.

  10. Petya Zhekova Feb 4, 2022 at 5:09 am

    I was caregiver to Bill’s mum Eileen Colson known as a Molly for nearly 3 years. This way I know family Colson, I feel very proud of myself that I have been lucky to have contact with Bill. Always very kind, wise and loving , caring person. Big thanks and respect to Bill, I will always remember and miss him . Congratulations to all family, Rest in peace Bill.

  11. Mary E Reich Feb 10, 2022 at 12:03 pm

    We were so sad to hear that Bill passed away. He was such a nice person, and he will be missed by us and many others. Always enjoyed our times together. Love always, Kurt and Mary Reich

  12. Meg Kennedy Brozny Feb 26, 2022 at 3:42 pm

    I’m very sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. I have many fond memories of his warm personality and willingness to take extra kids on the block out for ice cream. He was the first person to take me fishing on a family trip we took together. May he Rest In Peace.

    Meg Kennedy Brozny

  13. Tamara Rodig Feb 27, 2022 at 5:25 pm

    My mom & dad (Pat & Everett Ball) loved Bill so much, they chose him to be the godfather of their first born (me). Always soft-spoken, always funny, always loved. ❤️

  14. Rich Rozak Mar 1, 2022 at 9:56 am

    We are very sad to hear of Bills passing away. Although we have not seen him in many years he was a friend and fellow Leo H. S. Graduate and a good man.
    Rich and Marge Rozak

  15. Judi Colson Ross Mar 1, 2022 at 9:11 pm

    I am so grateful for the kind comments made by my brother. Bill’s friends. To me, he was the world’s greatest brother and I will miss him forever.
    My heart is broken. Love you and miss you, Bill.
    Judi

  16. Corinne Fitzgerald Mar 5, 2022 at 4:38 pm

    Bill was a wonderful boss and friend to my sister Zoe, for many years. Although my encounters with him weren’t many, I will always remember him as a kind, warm and generous human being. Rest in Paradise. ❤

  17. Rhonda Martin Apr 20, 2022 at 2:47 pm

    So sorry for your loss. Bill & my dad were long time friends from John Carroll University. This pic was taken in 2019 when Bill was visiting AZ.

  18. Lloyd Betourney May 3, 2022 at 9:19 am

    Was deeply saddened to learn of Bill’s passing. First met Bill in 1970 – through my involvement in the Tom Hynes for St Senate campaign and worked closely with him on a number of political projects after that. He was a true professional and a most decent, loyal friend. Like Peg above, we lost contact over recent years , but I shall always value our friendship and what I learned about politics working with Bill. I shall miss him – a lot.

  19. Glenn Prohaska May 31, 2022 at 3:47 pm

    Both Karen and I were saddened to have just learned of Bill’s passing. I have so many fond memories of Bill, starting in law school, being a groomsman in each other’s wedding, to vacations spent together over the years. I cherish these memories. I will definitely have a Crown Royal in remembrance, Glenn Prohaska

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