William M. “Bill” Sand, Sr., 72, of East Dubuque, IL, passed away on Friday afternoon, June 20, 2025, at Mercy One Dubuque Medical Center with his family by his side.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 26, 2025, at St. Mary’s Church in East Dubuque, with Fr. Edilberto Jarapa officiating.  Burial will follow in the East Dubuque Cemetery.

Family and friends may call from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, and from 9:15 – 10:00 a.m. on Thursday at the Miller Funeral Home in East Dubuque. Members of the East Dubuque Fire Dept. will meet at the funeral home at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

Bill was born on May 27, 1953, in Dubuque, IA, the son of William J. and Elaine (Maury) Sand. He attended St. Mary’s Grade School and graduated from Wahlert High School in 1971.

Bill married Jolene M. Huekels on November 2, 1985, at Grace Lutheran Church in East Dubuque. He was formerly employed at Mercy Homecare as a Certified Rehab Specialist for 11 years and then worked at CarePro Home Medical for 7 years before his retirement. Bill also was a bartender for Bill’s Tap in East Dubuque for 25 years (which was owned by his parents), also was a bartender for LaComa Golf Course for 22 years.

He was a former member of the East Dubuque Volunteer Fire Dept. serving as a Firefighter/EMT for 11 years, a past member of the East Dubuque Drum & Bugle Corps and past Den Leader for the East Dubuque Cub Scouts. Bill owned a DJ Business called Music Express for 30 years, with two different partners; Rockin Ray the Country DJ (Ray Hoftender) and for the last 10 years, with his best friend: Go Go LaFoe (Erin LaFoe).

Bill always put his family and friends first. He worried about everyone and only wanted the best for them. He loved with his whole heart.

Surviving is his wife, Jolene; five children, Billie Jo (Bob Jones) Peterson, Corey (Elizabeth) Sand, Crystal (Heather) Sand, Cody (Amanda) Sand and Bill (Cadalina) Sand, Jr; his grandchildren, Brianna, Tyler, Trevor, Kourtnee, Mia, Theo, Wyatt, Silas, Elena and Noah; three great-grandchildren, Kayson, Landon, and Evelyn; two sisters, Linda (Bob) Slaats and Beverly Tippe.

Jolene and family wish to thank Medical Associates Cardiology Dept, Dr. Ramabadran, Julie Ehlinger NP, Lacey BSN, Karena Sauser DNP, Makayla, Mercy One Dubuque Medical Center, especially Cameron M. in the Emergency Dept, Sarah V,  nursing assistant, and Marci, Cardiac Nurse. Also, the Keyway Lodge Group, Westside Groups and Attitude Adjustment Group. Bill’s sponsor, Erin LaFoe and all the people in Alcoholics Anonymous for their continuing support for the last 30 years.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Bill & Elaine, his in-laws, Theodore & Theresa Huekels, grandparents, Michael & Elfrida Sand, Oscar & Rita Maury and two half-brothers, Michael O’Rourke and Eugene Sand.

Memorials may be directed to University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Make-a-Wish Foundation or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Bill’s memory.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com©