William J. "Bill" Best, 75 of Freeport
passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on July 6, 2023. He was born Oct. 3, 1947 in Freeport, IL to the late Ira and Bernadine ( Foehrkolb) Best. He married Constance Klock on Oct. 4, 1975. He was an army veteran who served in Vietnam and Korea.

He graduated from Aquin Central Catholic high school in freeport and worked as a supervisor at the former Thermos. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and most of all loved his garden. He was well known by many as "the tomato man". Dad also loved the holidays. He cooked the best turkey and shopped all year for Christmas. He always had something funny to say and he had a very memorable laugh.

He is survived by his wife Connie Best, son Brian (Sandy) Best, daughters Erin (Joe) Peterson, Teri Best, granddaughter Lyra, sister Deb (Doug) Krogull, many nieces, nephews, cousins and his dog Magic and parrot Cherokee. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert "Bob" Best, close cousin Danny Grossenbacher, Aunt Marcella Ebel and special pets Sydney and Dusty

Cremation will be held at Walker Mortuary and a private family memorial at a later date.