Ralph W. Bollinger, 73, of Peoria, passed away at 4:05 p.m. on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at his residence.
A Celebration of Ralph’s Life will be at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 10, 2017 at Clary Funeral Home, 3004 West Lake Ave. in Peoria, with Jeff Leeman officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday prior to the service at the funeral home. Cremation rites have been accorded.
Ralph was born on December 11, 1943, in Peoria, a son of Clarence E. and Olga Margurite (Jilly) Bollinger. He married Sunny Hoover on August 4, 1973 in Peoria. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Robert Bollinger.
He is survived by his wife of Peoria; sons, Kurt (Maggi) Bollinger of Metamora and David (Kelsey) Bollinger of East Peoria; sister, Norma Winner of Spring Hill, FL; and four grandchildren.
Ralph was the head of maintenance at Woodruff High School. He was a member of the Firemen and Oilers Union.
He also was a professional musician. He went to New York City with a Peoria band named “The Inn Group” and he played at Joe Namath’s Club, Dudes’n Dolls. He played bass on the Alman Brothers’ 1st and 2nd albums. He played with Etta James, Wilson Pickett and Jo Jo Benson. He did studio work in Nashville and played with various musicians in Peoria.
Ralph loved building race cars. He built “The Mouse” in 1964 from a 1955 Chevy Sedan and started racing it locally. “The Mouse” was never beaten in Peoria.
Memorial contributions may be made in Ralph’s memory to a charity of the donor’s choice.
