Former Edwardsville Intelligencer columnist Bill Nunes dies at 86

May 11-Bill Nunes, a former columnist for The Intelligencer, died May 4 at 86.

Nunes, a Glen Carbon resident since 1973, began writing a weekly column for The Intelligencer in 2018 and continued until Sept. 18, 2024.

His final column was devoted to his sister, Jackie, who preceded him in death in 2015. Nunes was also preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Lorna, in 2016.

He is survived by his son, Steve Nunes of Edwardsville, his daughter, Laurie Jones of Glen Carbon and four grandchildren.

According to his obituary, Nunes was a 1957 graduate of East St. Louis High and earned three degrees from SIUE.

He was named teacher of the year at Collinsville High School and later taught for 24 years at Edwardsville High School before retiring in 1993.

Following his retirement, he became a local historian and author, self-publishing 34 books on Illinois, St. Louis and U.S. history. He also wrote five novels.

Nunes was named a Hometown Hero in Glen Carbon in 2016.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. May 28 at First Baptist Church in Maryville, 7110 Illinois 162. The family asks that donations be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois in lieu of flowers.

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