William W. Mancke, age 97, of Manhattan, passed away peacefully at his home with his loving family at his side on Thursday, May 18, 2023. Survived by his wife Nancy (nee Kelly) of 34 years, his children Scott (Victoria) Mancke and Stacy (William Johnston) Mancke, his grandchildren Craig (Kelly) Mancke, Jamie (Joshua) Cunningham, great grandchildren Michael, Kohlie, Collin, Alexander, and Andrea, numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents William F. and Harriet (nee Koehler) Mancke, his first wife Edith M. (nee Kipp) Mancke (1987) and his sister Arnetta Johnson. William was a graduate of Thorton High School. William was a proud WWII Veteran serving our country with the United States Marine Corp. He was a survivor of multiple battles including The Battle of Iwo Jima. He was awarded three purple hearts and a bronze star. William was one of the founders of the Tinley Park VFW offering up his own home as collateral to get the project started. He was the longest living Charter Member for several years. William also volunteered at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery with the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Memorial Squad from the inception of the cemetery until 2020 participating in hundreds of other veterans' military honors. Throughout William's life he had many business ventures, including building the Tinley Park Bowling Alley, owning and operating his own Amoco Gas Station, and owning and operating a trucking business. Eventually William ended up working at Mobile Chemical Plastics Division in Frankfort, IL and retired after many years. William moved to Manhattan in 1974 and took up raising horses. He also enjoyed traveling, square dancing, camping, and taking care of the property. William was also known to closely follow the stock market and professional golf. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and he will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Visitation for William will take place on June 1, 2023, from 9:30 – 11:30 A.M. at Forsythe Gould Funeral Home. Funeral service will be the same morning at 11:30 A.M. also at the funeral home. Interment with full military honors will immediately follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL at 1:00 P.M. Arrangements entrusted to Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St., Manhattan, IL 60442, 815-478-3321, www.forsythegouldfh.com.