“William H. Button, aged 63 years, died in his home in Magnolia terrace this afternoon after an illness of two years, death being hastened by pneumonia. He had been a resident of this city for the last 47 years, coming here from North Berlin, where he was born. He was a veteran of the Civil War and a member of C. D. Sanford post, G.A.R. He leaves his widow, two daughters and a son. The funeral arrangements have not yet been made.”
— Springfield Union, 1 October 1913