Mr. William Daly

It is with great regret that we must report the passing of Mr. William Daly on April 2, 2005 from Liver Cancer.

Bill was an active reenactor for 20-25 Years. He also served in the US Army as a private between the years of 1952-1956 and will receive full military honors for his service to our country. Bill was also a retired federal employee and was a recruiter among other positions he held as a civil servant. Bill was a resident of Downers Grove, IL. and was a member of the 10th Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry (III. State Militia), a Union Infantry Unit.

Mr. Daly held the rank of Sergeant and has over the past years been an Officer with the Regiment, being its Commanding Officer during the period 1988 - 98. He had been active with the Regiment since its inception in 1980 and had been active in the Civil War hobby some years. Most of this time was in the area of "Living History" presentations where one assumes the role of an actual participant in the Civil War and attempts to live and act as one would curing the period 1861 - 1865. Some twenty times each year, Mr. Daly joined with others in the hobby and presented a living history encampment for the benefit of the general public over a period of one to three days. He also participated in presentations to civic groups, schools, and community agencies, parades on national holidays, and joined with other military units to commerate special national events.

Mr. Daly was married, and had two grown children. He had been certified as being of sound mind, although wearing a wool uniform on hot summer days leads one to question that certification!

Until his death, Bill continued to bring American Civil War History to life for students and adults alike with his own brand of living history. His passion was bringing history to life for all who would listen.

Some of the presentations that were available thru Mr.Daly were:

• The Common Solider (both Northern & Southern) thru His Haversack Items
• 20 Man Volunteer Group (audience participation)
• War is Hell
• The Civil War Soldier thru items caried in his Haversack
• Joshua Taylor ('First Person/presentation "Adventures in the Union Army"
• Major Sullivan Ballou's love Letter to his wife Sarah (with theme music as background

 

The family requests in lieu of flowers to make monetary donations to the Salvation Army in Bill's name. Cards of condolence are also welcomed and may be sent to Bill's home.


Goodbye, old campaigner. We'll all miss you.

The tale is told. The world moves on, the sun shining as brightly as before, the flowers bloom as beautifully, the birds sing their carols as sweetly,the trees nod and bow their leafy tops as if slumbering in the breeze, the gentle winds fan our brow and kiss our cheek as they pass by, the pale moon sheds her silvery sheen, the blue dome of the sky sparkles with the trembling stars that twinke and shine and make the night beautiful,
and the scene melts and gradually disappears forever....---Sam Watkins, "Company Aytch"

Wm. J. Daly

4419 Florence Avenue, Downers Grove IL 60515