William Specht

William K. Specht, 85, died Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at his home. He was a veterinarian in the local area for many years. William was born July 14, 1924, the son of Edward William and Bernice Wachs Specht. He married Anne E. Caveness on September 2, 1950 in Champaign. She preceded him in death on January 13, 2006. William Specht attended Hoopole and Annawan schools. He received his bachelor's degree from Northern Illinois University. After serving in the U.S.Navy during World War II, thru the GI Bill he went to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and in 1952 graduated in the first class of the College of Veterinary Medicine. He moved to Milledgeville in 1953 and co-founded the Milledgeville Veterinary Clinic where he was a large animal practitioner until his retirement in 1989. "Doc" was a father, husband, friend, mentor, humanitarian, steward of the earth, and an integral and practical person. He was actively involved in their livestock and crop farm where he was able to implement his stewardship beliefs. William Specht was an active member of the Milledgeville United Methodist Church where he served in many capacities. Over the years, he was also active in the Resource Conservation & Development Committee, Farm Bureau, Kiwanis Club, Lions Club, Milledgeville PTA, Milledgeville Village Board, and Boy Scouts of America. He was a long time member of the Democratic Party and was a candidate for the State Senate in 1964. Mr. Specht had an intelligent sense of humor and enjoyed good discussions on many subjects. He loved traveling, camping, tinkering, and raising his Sicilian burros. Survivors include two daughters, Patricia Specht of Milledgeville and Diana (Daniel) Saavedra of Roscoe; two sons, Edward W. (Anita) Specht of Rockton and Thomas (Elizabeth) Specht of Fredericksburg, VA; one sister, Genevieve Waldbusser of Prophetstown; one brother and sister-in-law, Henry (Lucille) Caveness of Oak Harbor, WA; and six grandchildren, Margarete (Matthias) Mittrach, Benjamin Specht, Carl (Samantha) Specht, Dale Specht, David Specht and Alexandra Saavedra; one great-grandchild, Marlene Mittrach; and a special friend, Viola Workman. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, John and Paul Specht, two sisters, Rosina Lindahl and Ruth Heller. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at the Milledgeville United Methodist Church, with the Pastor Dan Sturtevant officiating. Burial will be at Oak Knoll Memorial Park in Sterling. Visitation will be from 5-8 PM Monday, August 10, 2009 at the Milledgeville United Methodist Church. A memorial has been established to the Milledgeville United Methodist Church; Hospice of the Rock River Valley; and Carroll County Soil & Water Conservation District.