Bill Stephen McCamish

Bill Stephen McCamish, 76, of Carterville, passed away Friday, October 22, 2021, at the CLC of the Marion V.A.

Graveside services with military rites will be held at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, October 31, 2021, at Little Flock Cemetery in Carterville, with Rev. Cody Knapik officiating.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Activities Department at the CLC at the Marion VA. 

Steve was born September 7, 1945, in Carbondale, to Wendell Ward “Bill” and Jenniev (Gentry) McCamish.

He is survived by his children, J. Kevin (Rosemary) McCamish and Megan McCamish Harmon, all of Carterville; grandchildren, Kaleb Merrik (Rachel Tate) Martin of Durango, Colorado, Paige Alexis McCamish, Mikenzie Lauren Minnick, Colby Sue Harmon, John Stephen McCamish, and Corbin James Gunnar Harmon, all of Carterville; siblings, John Coleman (Karla) McCamish of Carterville, Mere Lyn (Carl) Miller of Carterville, Becky Ann (Larry) Johnson of Valrico, Florida, and Bradley Sam McCamish of Carterville; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; and a plethora of friends.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, Sam and Edith McCamish, and Ed and Jennie Gentry; and his beloved horse, “My Colonel Bill”.

Steve’s nursing career began as an orderly at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale upon High School graduation. He then joined the Navy where he decided to attend Field Medical Service School at Camp Lejeune for Corpsman training. Steve was soon deployed to Vietnam where he was an HM 2 Naval Corpsman and received a certificate of commendation from the United States Marine Corps for services rendered in combat situations. Also, while in Vietnam, Steve taught the English language to children at the Catholic orphanage outside of his camp. After Steve returned home from Vietnam, he finished his military career with an honorable discharge in Jacksonville, Florida. While remaining in the Naval Reserves, Steve attended and graduated from Memorial School of Nursing in Springfield, Illinois in 1971. Post graduation, Steve filled various nursing roles until he began his role as a surgical RN at the Marion VA in 1991 until he retired in 2011. Steve was very proud of his work as an RN, and was a role model to many. 

Steve had a passion for horses and hunting dogs. Steve also enjoyed playing “scratch off’s” in town, and mowing his property every spring and summer. However, Steve’s greatest joy came from spending time with his children and grandchildren and watching them grow… “Just right”. 

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