Burton William “Bill Sr.” Waite

Burton William “Bill Sr.” Waite, 89, of Peru, passed away on February 28, 2026 after a brief stay in hospice care.

Mass of Christian burial will be 12:00 PM Saturday, March 7,  at St. Valentine’s Church in Peru with Rev. Ronald Margherio OSB officiating.  Burial will be at Forest Lawn Memory Park in La Salle.  Visitation will be in the church on Saturday from 10:00 AM until time of services.  The Hurst Funeral Home in La Salle has been entrusted with Bill’s arrangements.

Burton was born on April 20, 1936 in Spring Valley to Burton and Elizabeth Waite of Cherry.  He married Marie Antoinette Cerda on November 29, 1957 at Holy Trinity Church in Cherry.  He was the owner and operator of Waite’s Service and Towing with his wife Marie, and son Bill Junior.

Burton’s career as an auto mechanic, tow truck operator, and truck testing technician was run out of his auto repair shop in Cherry.  After his retirement, his son Bill Jr. took over the business.

He is survived by his wife Marie “Toni” of Peru; five children, Karla (Paul) Sandrolini of Marseilles, Kevin (Kim DeBrock) Waite of Granville, Libby Waite of Naperville, Byron Waite of Granville and Michael (Michelle) Waite of Peru; nine grandchildren, James Sandrolini, Kassi Filipiak, Felicia Waite, Lindsay Waite, Austin Schmidt, Alexis Schmidt, Rylee Waite, Cassandra Kurtz and Emily Mautino; eight great-grandchildren, Ella Sandrolini, Reese Sandrolini, Enzo Sandrolini, Gavin Filipiak, Grant Filipiak , Geno Filipiak, Slaide Mautino and Parker Kurtz; many nieces and nephews.

Burton was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.  He adored his family, and loved spending time with them on holidays, and at family gatherings.  He was a lifelong Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bears fan.  He enjoyed attending Spring Training games in Arizona for many years during his retirement.  His favorite sport was open wheel midget and sprint car racing.  In his spare time, you would find him at a dirt racetrack, or watching a race on television.

Burton will be sorely missed.  He was kind, compassionate, and an amazing husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his eldest son William Burton Waite, and eldest daughter Kathleen Waite Schmidt.

Pallbearers will be Austin Schmidt, Jeff Quilter, Paul Sandrolini, James Sandrolini, Mike Filipiak, Peter Mautino, Kevin Raef and Dave Despain.

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