William Van Buren

Memorial services for William G. Van Buren will be held Saturday, Nov. 19 at St. James A.M.E. Church in Monticello at 11 a.m.

He died October 30 at his home in Sparta, Illinois.

Mr. Van Buren was born in Monticello to George Jackson and Cosdena Van Buren on March 29, 1929. He was raised with his siblings John and Retha.
Known as “Van” to his friends, he graduated early and attended Morehouse College in Atlanta. He traveled extensively while serving in the Navy and earned a bachelor’s degree from Dillard University in New Orleans and a master’s degree from Howard University in Washington, D. C.

In 1968, Mr. Van Buren accepted a position as Director of the Joint Community Program in St. Louis, Missouri where he was director for 20 years. He retired his position as chaplain at Menard Correctional Center in Chester, Illinois in 2000 where he had ministered for 20 years.
He loved people and the legacy he leaves will be the skill he had to minister with kind words and actions.

Survivors include a son, George and a daughter, Emily; and a number of other relatives and friends.