Manhattan Fire District Mourns Trustee, 'Great Leader' Killed In Crash

PEOTONE, IL — The Manhattan Fire Protection District is mourning one of its own, following the death of Trustee Bill Osborne in a single-vehicle crash Jan. 11.

Osborne, 67, died in a crash at the 29000 block of Joliet Road just after 6 p.m. Saturday.

Manhattan Fire Protection District leadership on Monday honored Osborne for his three decades of public service, beginning as a volunteer firefighter in Peotone in January 1977. Osborne was a certified firefighter III, fire apparatus engineer, and hazardous materials technician, the district wrote.

At Peotone Fire Protection District, Osborne played an integral role in the district's growth and development. He was a key participant in the committee that developed and built the current Peotone Station. As the department transitioned from an all-volunteer organization to one with staffing, Osborne utilized his skills to create sleeping quarters that allowed for 24-hour coverage.

"His contributions over the years were countless, and it is true to say that our organization would not be what it is today without the efforts of Bill Osborne," the district said.

Osborne was promoted to Battalion Chief in 2002 and continued to provide leadership and guidance until his retirement on December 1, 2008.

Following his retirement, Osborne's contributions to the fire service continued. He went on to become a fire commissioner, working on hiring practices for full-time employees. He was elected as a trustee for the Peotone Fire Protection District on Feb. 11, 2021, "where his commitment to the community and the fire service remained a guiding light for improving the organization he cherished for decades.

"Bill was an essential member of the board and played a pivotal role in developing a plan to ensure the community received the service it deserved."

He supported the consolidation with the Manhattan Fire Protection District, which enabled the provision of full-time firefighter-paramedics to the community, the district said. He continued to serve as a trustee with the Manhattan Fire Protection District from February 21, 2023, until the time of his death.

"The Manhattan Fire Protection District, the Peotone community, and his fire service family lost a great leader, servant, and friend on Saturday, January 11, 2025," the district wrote. "A wise man once said that you must be a great friend to have great friends, and that is how Bill lived.

"Always willing to lend a hand and help anyone in need, he greeted everyone with a smile. In the fire service, it is taught that you should leave it better than you found it, and Bill embodied this throughout his career, from firefighter to Trustee. Our fire department and community have lost an extraordinary leader, and we will miss our friend. His tireless dedication will carve a lasting legacy in the community he served."

Arrangements are still pending as of Monday afternoon.