Dixon

William Walch Tyler, Jr., 87, passed away peacefully Sunday, February 15, 2026 at Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon, Illinois. Bill was born on July 18, 1938, the son of William W. and Geraldine (Bienfang) Tyler in Rochelle, IL. He proudly served with the United States Marine Corps, VMS 323 Squadron in El Toro, CA from 1957 to 1960. On July 19, 1986, he married Jean Nelson Kaminski in Wailua, Kaua’i.

Bill returned to Illinois and joined Sundstrand Aviation in Rockford, IL. As service supervisor, he worked with the B52 program in Minot, ND. As field rep for electronics systems for Sundstrand, he spent much of his time in Tulsa, OK at the maintenance facility of American Airlines, who eventually hired him as Fleet Manager. His next assignment with American Airlines was at Chicago O’Hare Field. Thirteen years later, he left American Airlines to direct the US operation of Canadian Co. deHavilland in Rosemont, IL. Changing gears, in the late 1990's, he became a registered representative with the Franklin Life Insurance Company and was associated with Graber Financial Group in Rochelle. He then established Tyler Financial Services, retiring in 2007.

Bill was a formerly active member of Rotary International where he received the Paul Harris Fellow award, a Chamber of Commerce Ambassador and served on the Rochelle Airport Advisory Board for many years. He enjoyed attending the Reno Air Races, photography and traveling with his wife on both land and sea.

Bill is survived by his wife, Jean of Dixon, IL; son, Steven (Amy) Tyler and their children, Max and Kate of Plain City, OH; step son, Tim (Robyn) Kaminski of Rockville, MD; grandchildren and great grandchildren: Trent (Aleigha) Frazier and their daughters, Hannah and Emmerson, Traci (Hugh Lenzer) Frazier, and Tyler Frazier and sons, Myles and Nixon all of TX; brother, Dr. Richard (Marcia) Tyler of Monroe Center, IL; two sisters: Nancy Levett of Pickens, SC and Susan (Fred) Baxter of Rockford, IL and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his daughter, Debra Frazier Tate on February 15, 2014 and his son, William W. Tyler, III on December 23, 2019.

At a later date, there will be a memorial graveside service for Bill and his son at Monroe Center Cemetery in Monroe Center, IL. Cremation care has been provided by the Unger-Horner Funeral Home of Rochelle. Memorials may be made in Bill’s memory to Serenity Hospice and Home or Monroe Center Cemetery. Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.