Thank you, Handrawn. I know it is a Photoshop forum.
HOWEVER:

1) My Google search "Remove white background and make it transparent in Illustrator" brought me here :-)
2) I downloaded and tried to install the eraser genuine tool (as recommended on this forum).... only to find after I unzipped it - that it has a .8bf extension and therefore will not install when I double click it. I have written to the author to determine how to get this installed as a Photoshop filter and also asked if it will work as a filter/tool in Illustrator.
3) The suggestions all intend to be helpful and I appreciate the time/effort of those responding.
4) HOWEVER, the simple, step by step solution requested at the beginning of this thread (30+ replies ago) still seems to remain allusive :-)