William "Paul" Lance  SR, age 92 of East Peoria, Illinois, formerly of Edgewood, Illinois passed away at 4:55 a.m. Saturday, February 7, 2015 at Richard L. Owens O S F Hospice Home, Peoria, Illinois.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 11, 2015 in Pagel Funeral Home, Edgewood, Illinois with a one hour visitation prior to service. Mark White will be officiating. Burial will be in Edgewood Cemetery with Military Graveside Rites by the Edgewood American Legion Post # 1168. Memorials may be made to the Richard L. Owens O S F Hospice Home or any Hospice of choice.

Paul was born on September 12, 1922 in Mounds City, IL, the son of William J. and Bessie (Haws) Lance. He married Pauline Henrietta Quast on December 1, 1945 in Edgewood, Illinois in the home of Ben and Gertie Quast. She preceded him in death on October 18, 2010.

Paul was a member of the United Methodist Church, Edwards, Illinois, Life member and past Commander (1949-1950) of the Edgewood American Legion Post # 1168, Life member of the V. F. W. Post #2078 in East Peoria, IL, and a U S Army Veteran of WW II, for 5 years in the European Theater where he was awarded the Bronze Star. He was a retired welder from Caterpillar in Peoria, Illinois for over 30 years. He loved his St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Bears.

Surviving are his two sons: W. Paul (wife Dee) Lance JR of Junction City, Wisconsin and Ben C. (wife Carolyn) Lance of Piedmont, South Carolina; daughter, Paula (husband Bob) Duke of East Peoria, Illinois; thirteen grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Joshua Duke; three sisters: Ida Depoister, Mary Depoister and Deenie Collins and one brother Charlie Lance.