WILLIAM E. FROELICH, JR., of Gridley, IL died December 26, 2011at the age of 88. He was a licensed funeral director for more than 60 years. He was the owner and operator of the Froelich Family Memorial Homes in Gridley, Flanagan, El Paso, Minonk, Toluca, Bloomington, Normal, Danvers and Carlock, which were established by his father, William E. Froelich in 1910. He founded the Illinois Funeral Service Foundation, and the Funeral Service Museum Board. In 1961, he co-founded Heritage Enterprises, which owns and operates nursing homes, assisted living facilities and the Brittany restaurant. He was instrumental in the founding of the Gridley, Flanagan and El Paso Community Ambulance Squads. He spearheaded the development of the Mortuary Science Program at the Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL. He served on the board of directors for the Illinois Funeral Directors Association, and became president in 1959. He received a degree in mortuary science from the University of Minnesota.