Norma Ione Hilsabeck was born to Louis and Edith (Shanks) Hilsabeck on April 8, 1925, in Pana, Illinois. She moved to Urbana in 1944. She married Bill Childers in 1947. In addition to being Bill’s partner in numerous projects and adventures, she was the executive secretary for Harlan Moore’s building supply business. In 1957, Norma had one son, also named Bill. After her husband Bill died in 1984, she spent winters in Ft. Myers, Florida, with her sister Lois. In 2002, Norma and Lois bought a house across the street from her son, Bill, his wife Barb, and most importantly, her grandchildren, Gwen and Wil lie. For the last 6 years, Willie has been Norma’s caretaker. Norma lived a long and vivid life until July 19, 2022, when she quietly slipped away surrounded by her family.

To celebrate Norma’s life, we will have a service at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Urbana-Champaign, 309 W. Green St., Urbana, on Friday, October 7, 2022, at 7 pm. Please bring a mask in case the church requires masks to be worn at that time.