William A. "Bill" Deutsch, 78, of Breese, died Saturday, May 24, 2008 at his home. He was born August 22, 1929 in Breese, son of Fred and Camilla (Bingham) Deutsch. He married Jane F. Zurliene October 18, 1958 in Aviston and she survives in Breese.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, David (Caroline) Deutsch of Breese; two daughters, Jean (Tom) Mahoney of O’Fallon and Jan (Mark) Dall of Aviston; five grandchildren, Hillary (Christopher) Frost, Clinton Dall, Morgan Dall, Lydia Dall and David Morris; a sister, Bernice Keilbach of Highland; two brothers, Kyrle Deutsch of Belleville and Charles (Maxine) Deutsch of Mountain Home, Ark.; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Marjorie Deutsch of Evansville, IN, Margie Billhartz of Breese, Pat & Clayton Abel of Belleville, Alice Zurliene of Fairfield, and Barbara Zurliene of Henderson, NV.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Claire Deutsch; a brother, Fred Deutsch; brothers-in-law & sisters-in-law, Hilbert Keilbach, Marjorie Deutsch, Norbert Billhartz, Tom Zurliene, Louis & Lil Zurliene, Phillip Zurliene, Jim & Joan Zurliene, David Zurliene, Benedict Zurliene and Barbara & Wade Brunsmann.

Mr. Deutsch was a painter at Scott Air Force Base. He was a 2^nd Lieutenant Veteran of the United States Army and served in the Korean War. He was a member of St. Augustine Parish and Holy Name in Breese and was a former member of the parish council and the school board. He was a member, past commander and chaplain of the American Legion Post 252 in Breese. Bill was a leader and mentor for 40 years for kids in  Boy Scout Troop 225. He was the first Breese Scoutmaster to guide a Boy Scout through the entire process to Eagle Scout. He called Bingo at the Breese American Legion for 40 years; was treasurer for the Breese Historical Society and was instrumental in developing the flag display in Breese for the American Legion. He was a 50 year member and secretary/treasurer for the Painters Union Local 849 in Collinsville. He was instrumental in organizing the Breese Khoury League program and dedicated many years of service to the youth of Breese.  When it came to baseball, he watched it, played it, coached it, managed it and was back to watching it. In addition to baseball, he loved fishing and painting.

A funeral mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Breese with Rev. Chuck Tuttle officiating. Interment will follow at St. Dominic/St. Augustine Cemetery in Breese.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, 2008 and from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at Hempen Funeral Home in Breese. The American Legion will visit at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to VNA TIP Hospice or American Legion Post 252 or to the Breese Boy Scouts and will be received at the funeral home.