William H. "Bill" Protz, 73, of Sullivan, Illinois, passed away Saturday, November 16, 2019, in an auto accident near Hillsboro, IL.

Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, November 23, 2019, at First United Methodist Church, Vandalia, IL, with Chaplains Scottie Wilson and Lee Taylor officiating. Visitation will be held from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Friday, November 22, 2019, at First United Methodist Church, Vandalia, IL and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, prior to the service at the church. Memorials: Racers For Christ. Miller Funeral Home, Vandalia, IL, is in charge of arrangements. Online memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.millerfh.net.

He was born September 20, 1946, in Mattoon, IL, the son of John William & Loretta (Stuckey) Protz. He married Jackolyn Cherryl Banks on June 6, 1965 in Sullivan, IL.
He was a Journeyman for CIPS/Ameren; He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Sullivan, IL and was a faithful member of the morning coffee club.

Bill had drag racing in his blood from a young age and became a National Hot Rod Association certified tech inspector. He was the team captain for Coles County Dragway for the Division 3 finals, and was inducted in the Coles County Dragway Hall of Fame. He was honored with the NHRA Div. 3 Don "Pinky" Cobbs Memorial Award. He preferred Chevy over anything else and lived for drag racing season. He passed along his dragracing love to his wife, son and granddaughters.

He loved sports and was an IHSA football referee for many years. He followed every sport his son Randy participated in at Sullivan and at MacMurray College. He's been a fan of the Vandalia Vandals since 1994 when his son began coaching and teaching. He and wife Jackie have been fixtures at Vandalia sports following their granddaughters' teams since the very beginning.

He is survived by: Son - Randy Protz & Janel, Vandalia, IL; Granddaughter - Brandy Michelle Protz, Vandalia, IL; Sister - Alice Johnson & Jim, Allenville, IL; Brothers - Jerry Protz & Jan, Mattoon, IL and Fred Protz & Carol, Lerna, IL; and Sister - Virginia Kastl, Lerna, IL.

Preceded in death by: Parents; Wife; Granddaughter - Jenna Protz; and Sisters - Dorothy and Mary.

Do A Wheelie!