William P. LaBounty was born September 1, 1930, educated in Bloomington schools, and IWU, enlisted in the Air Force in 1953 spending much of his time in Japan. Bill married Loretta LaCost July 5, 1953. They have one son and one daughter.

Bill worked in the family business – Stappenbeck Bookbindery - participating in all aspects. In 1970 he moved on to ISU in the Printing Services, and took over as director in 1971. He completed a Masters Degree in 1974. Bill continued as Director of Printing at ISU until retiring in September of 1993.

In retirement Bill has done paraprofessional work for the McLean County Genealogical Society as well as the McLean County Museum of History. He was also active the Olde Towne neighborhood in which they lived.


At the Museum Bill headed a project to compile portions of area map books from 1856, 1866, 1874, 1895 and 1914. He has worked on Civil War history and on books indexing cemeteries among other projects. His genealogical work as well as printing and publishing experience made Bill a valuable asset to the The Civil War Diaries of James William Jessee book project.

This collection includes: Newspaper clippings, Pantagraph, unless noted, Oral History, Major Robert Whaley’s Crew 1953-1955, Air Force Memorabilia, Olde Towne Neighborhood, and Genealogical Research and Correspondence for The Civil War Diaries of James William Jessee.