William "Bill" Henry Lienemann
April 6, 1932 (Van Meter, Iowa) - February 8, 2026 (Springfield, Illinois)
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Parents: Alfred and Emma (Scheele) Lienemann
Spouse: Ann Lienemann Children: Cristi Ingram, Clark Lienemann High School Attended: Van Meter High School College Attended: Drake University and Stanford University Occupation: Vice President of Administration Affairs at Northeastern Illinois University and Vice Chancellor for the Board of Governors of State Colleges and Universities in Illinois |
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William “Bill” Henry Lienemann, 93, of Springfield, Illinois, passed away faithfully and peacefully on February 8, 2026.
He was born on April 6, 1932, on a farm near Van Meter, Iowa, to the late Alfred and Emma (Scheele) Lienemann.
Bill was a graduate of Van Meter High School and received his bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and education specialist from Drake University, where he lettered in basketball and baseball. He married Martha Ann Clark on June 4, 1955. Bill proudly served his country as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and witnessed firsthand atomic bomb tests. He received his Doctorate in Education from Stanford University. Bill dedicated his life and career to teaching, coaching, leading, educating, and positively encouraging others. He served in all levels of education and with distinction in higher education including as Vice President of Administrative Affairs at Northeastern Illinois University for 16 years and Vice Chancellor for the Board of Governors of State Colleges and Universities in Illinois for 5 years before retiring in 1990. Bill was a longtime active member and choir member at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Illinois and Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church in Naples, Florida. He loved spending time with family and friends, playing tennis until the age of 89, golf, card games, Yahtzee, and enjoying vanilla ice cream! Bill enjoyed watching the St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, Golden State Warriors, and recently Drake Bulldogs and Indiana Fever. Bill loved staying in touch with family and friends from Oregon, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Florida throughout his life. His hope and faith in God was the foundation of his life, and he generously shared his life with all who knew him.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Ann Lienemann; sister, Jean Richardson; children, Cristi Ingram and Clark Lienemann; grandchildren, Angela (Jason) Wheat, Kara (Ryan) Ewing, Rachel Lienemann, and William “Will” Lienemann; and great-grandchildren, Kalli Smith, Alisha Smith, Hunter Wells, and Madison Ewing.
He was preceded in death by his great-granddaughter, Santana Smith.
The family hosted a service at 11:00 am on Friday, February 13, 2026, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut St., Springfield, with a lunch reception to immediately follow.
A private family inurnment will be scheduled in the future at Westminster Presbyterian Memorial Garden.
He was born on April 6, 1932, on a farm near Van Meter, Iowa, to the late Alfred and Emma (Scheele) Lienemann.
Bill was a graduate of Van Meter High School and received his bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and education specialist from Drake University, where he lettered in basketball and baseball. He married Martha Ann Clark on June 4, 1955. Bill proudly served his country as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and witnessed firsthand atomic bomb tests. He received his Doctorate in Education from Stanford University. Bill dedicated his life and career to teaching, coaching, leading, educating, and positively encouraging others. He served in all levels of education and with distinction in higher education including as Vice President of Administrative Affairs at Northeastern Illinois University for 16 years and Vice Chancellor for the Board of Governors of State Colleges and Universities in Illinois for 5 years before retiring in 1990. Bill was a longtime active member and choir member at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Illinois and Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church in Naples, Florida. He loved spending time with family and friends, playing tennis until the age of 89, golf, card games, Yahtzee, and enjoying vanilla ice cream! Bill enjoyed watching the St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, Golden State Warriors, and recently Drake Bulldogs and Indiana Fever. Bill loved staying in touch with family and friends from Oregon, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Florida throughout his life. His hope and faith in God was the foundation of his life, and he generously shared his life with all who knew him.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Ann Lienemann; sister, Jean Richardson; children, Cristi Ingram and Clark Lienemann; grandchildren, Angela (Jason) Wheat, Kara (Ryan) Ewing, Rachel Lienemann, and William “Will” Lienemann; and great-grandchildren, Kalli Smith, Alisha Smith, Hunter Wells, and Madison Ewing.
He was preceded in death by his great-granddaughter, Santana Smith.
The family hosted a service at 11:00 am on Friday, February 13, 2026, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut St., Springfield, with a lunch reception to immediately follow.
A private family inurnment will be scheduled in the future at Westminster Presbyterian Memorial Garden.