William Marcus Cornwell

William Marcus Cornwell, 90, of Albion, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, at Boone County Health Center in Albion.  

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, at Palmer-Santin Funeral Home in Fullerton with Pastor Lynde Linde officiating. Burial will follow at Main Cemetery in Belgrade with military honors by Belgrade American Legion Post #99 and United States Army Honor Guard. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29 at Palmer-Santin Funeral Home. Palmer-Santin Funeral Home is serving the family. 

Bill was born Aug. 2, 1933 to William and Blanche (Green) Cornwell in rural Boone County. He began his education at Pinnacle Hill country school and graduated from Belgrade High School in 1951. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956. After he was honorably discharged, he moved back home and bought the original Cornwell homestead and farmed. He also did multiple other labor jobs in addition to farming such as driving bus and working at the sale barn and lumber yard in Albion. He was always willing to lend a hand to a neighbor in need. On Oct. 9, 1965, he was united in marriage to Connie at the United Methodist Church in Belgrade. Together they raised four children on the farm for many years before moving into Albion.  

He was a lifetime member and past commander of the Belgrade American Legion Post 99. He was also a member of the Pinnacle Hill United Methodist Church until it closed and then became a member of Belgrade United Methodist Church. Bill and his brother, Les, also had an auctioneer company. He enjoyed antique cars and going to car shows and races. Most of all, he lived for attending his grandchildren’s events and spending time with family.  

He is survived by his wife, Connie of Albion; children, Bobb Cornwell of Belgrade, Jeffrey Cornwell and special friend, Krystal Collins, of Newman Grove, Jylean Cornwell-Hopkins of Omaha, and Ryan (Jean) Cornwell of Columbus; 12 grandchildren; sister, Edith (Elmer) Knutson of El Paso, Texas; sisters-in-law, Pat Cornwell of Fullerton and Kay Cornwell of Belgrade; and many nieces and nephews.  

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Leslie, James, and Jasper; and sisters, Dorothy Channer and Mary Channer.