DIXON – William J. Dempsey, 93, of Dixon, formerly of Walton, died on Sunday Sept. 19, 2021 at KSB Hospital in Dixon.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, Sept. 23 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Walton. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery in Amboy.

He was born on Oct. 18, 1927 in Amboy the son of Lawrence and Gertrude (Fitzsimmons) Dempsey. William married Regina M. Finn at St. Mary Catholic Church in Walton on June 20, 1951.

William is survived by his daughters Lisa Magnafici of Dixon, Tosca (Rocky) Schultz of Amboy; grandchildren Sean Dempsey, Paul (Sara) Magnafici, Jaime (Bryan) Monk, Tess Magnafici, Hayli (Justin Shippert) Schultz, Whitney Schultz, Nick Schultz; great grandchildren Bryson and Koven Shippert, Mia and Ellie Monk, and Mary Jo Magnafici. He is also survived by one sister, Joan Christofferson of Dixon.

He was preceded in death by his wife on March 10, 2014; his sons Mitchell and Stephen Dempsey; sisters Mary Trumble, Rita Schindler, Lenore Knoll, and Arvilla Brechon; and brothers Earl and Joseph Dempsey.

William was a lifelong farmer and actively farmed until he was 86 years old in the Walton area. Even in his retirement he enjoyed trips to the farm, which he loved with all his heart. He was a lifetime member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Walton, and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He will be greatly missed by his family and will be remembered by his strong will and kindness.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Diabetes association.

Arrangements by the Mihm-Jones Funeral Home in Amboy.

Online condolences can be left at www.thejonesfh.com.