William "Bill" Kadel

William L. Kadel, 91 of Buffalo Prairie, died peacefully on December 17, 2025, with his wife of 66 years at his side. Funeral services celebrating Bill’s life will be held on Tuesday, December 23rd at 10:30 AM at the Buffalo Prairie Community Church. Burial with Military Honors will follow at the Buffalo Prairie Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday from 3 to 6 PM at the Buffalo Prairie Community Church. To honor Bill’s life, in lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorials to be given to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or the Buffalo Prairie Community Church. Speer Funeral Home, Aledo is assisting the family.

William Leonard Kadel was born on October 28, 1934, in rural Joy, Illinois to Leonard & Bernadine (McGinnis) Kadel. He graduated from Joy High School, then joined the United States Army for 6 years. Bill and Donna Soseman were married on June 21, 1959, in Aledo, Illinois.

After the Army, Bill came home to farm with his father in Duncan Township. He enjoyed raising cattle, hogs and sheep besides grain farming. In his spare time, Bill enjoyed being with Donna at Ripley’s Housing in Muscatine where he did maintenance and helped build the new park. He loved being outside and working on large machinery and just being busy. After building a new shed on the farm, Bill and Donna who loved to dance, would host dances on their farm with Loren Elliott performing. They especially loved winter trips to Hawaii and helping out at church. Bill was active in church, being on the session and a trustee, but was mostly known for being a greeter and candyman for all the children after services. Ford thunderbirds were also a love of Bill’s and he had several models over the years.

Those left to cherish Bill’s memory include his wife, Donna; a sister, Joyce Hanks of Lone Tree, Iowa; step-brother and his wife, David & Reba Ripley of Bettendorf; Sister-in-law, Glenda Kadel of Joy, IL; many nieces and nephews who loved Bill very much and many special friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jim Kadel.