Priest devoted to helping others

Rev. William J. Dugal III

1950-2009

William J. Dugal was determined that nothing would stop him from becoming a priest, not even an illness that he endured for most of his adult life.

"He was extraordinary despite the handicap and illnesses," said Candace Kane, a friend since college days. "Once you got to know him, you didn't notice anymore."

As a young man he was diagnosed with Friedreich's ataxia, a disease that causes progressive damage to the nervous system as the person ages.

Rev. Dugal died April 4 at St. Joseph Hospital in Joliet. He was 59.

"He never complained despite all he had been through in his life," said his sister Kathleen …