In the heart of Momence, there's a man who owns a funeral home, but his mission is far from somber. Bill Cotter's life's work is a vibrant celebration of the human spirit.
In March of 1980, Bill Cotter embarked on a remarkable journey when he purchased an existing funeral home and rebranded it as Cotter Funeral Home, here in Momence. Often, when people think of mortuaries or funeral homes, dark and even macabre thoughts can consume them. The weight of recent loss may linger in their hearts, making the very idea of such places unbearable. However, when you hear Bill Cotter speak and understand his dedication to Momence, you realize that his work is anything but morbid. He breathes life into the community through his stories, his service to students, and his commitment to honoring veterans. For Bill, both military service and the funeral parlor business are deeply intertwined.
Bill's journey began at a young age, as he got his start in both serving our country and learning the funeral trade. "I had worked in a funeral home since I was 16. And then after I graduated mortuary school, worked for somebody else in Springfield, and then I went into the service for four years as a Navy embalmer. This was 1973 through 1977," Bill recounts. His connection to this path traces back even further.
As a young boy, Bill's neighbor was a funeral director. Growing up in a family of twelve children, Bill found himself mowing the lawn at the funeral home to help support his family. In tight-knit families like his, making ends meet was a shared responsibility. However, what truly set Bill apart was his fascination with funeral homes. "I just decided that I kind of liked that stuff," he recalls with a hint of humor in his voice. "And, in our small town, the funeral director was also the ambulance. Because the funeral director was the only one that had a car big enough for somebody to lay down." Laughter fills the air as he shares this part of his story. Bill Cotter's grace and gift lie in enhancing the lives of those around him.
In 1986, Bill Cotter initiated the Veterans Program for high school students, a program designed to honor every veteran who has sacrificed for our country. He ensures that high school students have both the opportunity and the responsibility to pay tribute to our heroes. The Momence Honor Guard, comprised of high school students, adheres to strict criteria for participation. "Every student has to be a descendant of a veteran. They have to be on the honor roll," Bill explains. Most funerals occur at 10 o'clock in the morning during school hours, and the students must also write about why they wish to be part of the Honor Guard.
After this year's Veterans Day Celebration in Momence, it's evident what an exceptional job Bill and the Guard are doing.
But why did Bill choose this unique path to honor our heroes? He candidly states, "I did not want to have somebody else dictate to me what I had to do with these kids – our thing is to honor veterans – not the Navy way, not the Army way or Air Force way, but the military way, because everything's a little bit different." Bill empowers descendants of war heroes to express their devotion and appreciation for our veterans. It's one of the most positive and honorable gestures one can think of. Bill sums it up simply and clearly, "I want to serve our veterans."
These students hold a special place in Bill's heart. He has rescued more than a few from challenging situations by offering them the opportunity, under his discretion, to be part of the Honor Guard. It's a celebration of life, not death. Bill acknowledges the gravity of the ultimate sacrifice and loves these kids even more for it. "And because their grandfathers or their fathers risked the possibility of not ever coming home, of not having a grandkid at all… these are special kids to me." Bill speaks with military-style uniform and epaulets, yet his voice carries warmth, wisdom, and kindness. Bill Cotter has paid tribute to the fallen and living veterans, and in doing so, he has graciously welcomed us into his world of life, love, and unwavering service.