MURPHYSBORO – William “Bill/Pappy” Rinehart, 70, of Murphysboro, passed away at home on Sunday, August 30, 2026.

Bill was born in Flora, Illinois, on April 24, 1956, the son of Carrol Lee and Mary Louetta Erwin Rinehart. He married Arlene Crane on December 12, 2003, in Murphysboro, Illinois. He was baptized by New Life Tabernacle, Marion, Illinois. Bill was retired from Gilster Mary Lee and was a member of the Paul Stout American Legion Post #127, Murphysboro, Elks Lodge #572, Murphysboro and Carbon Lake Club, Murphysboro. Pappy enjoyed driving Over the Road for Gilster Mary Lee for over 30 years. He loved fishing, camping and his family.

Bill is survived by his wife, Arlene Rinehart of Murphysboro; children, Jana Jean Rinehart of Ellis Grove, IL, Billie Lyn (John) Linton of Jackson, MO, Angie (Terry) Cochran of Murphysboro, Matt Brown (Amber Popejoy) of Oraville, IL; grandchildren, Sumer Rae Jacobs (Austyn Phillips), Koda Mueller, Jay Linton, Azura Linton, Clay (Britton) Cochran, Chelsea (Blake) Beckmann, Kane Brown, Gage Brown, and McKenna Brown; great grandchildren, Layne Rae Phillips, Charli Cochran, Cale Cochran, Demi Beckmann, Dax Beckmann, and another great granddaughter expected in January 2027; sister, Donna (Steve) Herrell of Chester; brother, Tim (Amy) Rinehart of Fredericksburg, VA; sister-in-law, Helen Rinehart of Chester; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his Parents; and two brothers, Russel Rinehart and Carrol “Sunny” Rinehart; one brother-in-law; and three sisters-in-law.

Celebration of Life will be held at Paul Stout American Legion Post #127, Murphysboro, on Saturday, September 19, 2026. Memorials may be given to Paul Stout American Legion Post #127, and can be mailed to Wilson’s Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Ava, IL 62907.

“He was a phenomenal Dad that taught me a lot of life lessons that I’m going to take with me wherever I go. I was blessed to have him” -Billie