TOLONO — William Dean Kirby of Tolono died Friday (Nov. 23, 2018) at the age of 98.
He was born on July 18, 1920, in Buffalo Hart, Ill., the son of Agnes Opal (Duncan) Kirby and Arthur Taylor Kirby. He married Norma Jean (Schroeder) Kirby on April 8, 1943.
He is survived by sons Robert (Claudia) and Rod (Cathy), seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma; son, Richard (Sue); daughter, Gail; parents; and five brothers.
Bill attended Blackburn College in Carlinville then graduated from the University of Illinois in 1942. He served as a second lieutenant in the Army Air Forces from 1942-46 and was a long-term member of the VFW and American Legion.
After teaching biology and agricultural education for five years, Bill worked as an agent for Country Financial Insurance until his retirement in 1985.
He served as mayor of Tolono from 1961-69 and as a trustee for eight more years. He also was the treasurer for the Unit 7 school district for 20 years. Bill was an active member of Tolono United Methodist Church and the Tolono Lions Club.
He was a contributing writer for the County Star for many years and in 2000 compiled his writings in a book, "Buffalo Chips and Tolono Clips." In recent years, he served as president of the Tolono Historical Society and Veterans Museum.
Visitation will be held beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27, at the Tolono United Methodist Church, followed by celebration of resurrection at 11 a.m. The Rev. Tabitha Nelson will officiate. Interment will be at Bailey Memorial Cemetery. Freese Funeral Home, 407 N. Bourne St., Tolono, is in charge of arrangements.
He requested memorials be made to the Tolono Historical Society and Veterans Museum, 101 E. Holden St., Tolono, IL 61880; Tolono United Methodist Church, 301 N. Bourne, Tolono, IL 61880; or Carle Hospice, 206A W. Anthony Drive, Champaign, IL 61822.
He was born on July 18, 1920, in Buffalo Hart, Ill., the son of Agnes Opal (Duncan) Kirby and Arthur Taylor Kirby. He married Norma Jean (Schroeder) Kirby on April 8, 1943.
He is survived by sons Robert (Claudia) and Rod (Cathy), seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma; son, Richard (Sue); daughter, Gail; parents; and five brothers.
Bill attended Blackburn College in Carlinville then graduated from the University of Illinois in 1942. He served as a second lieutenant in the Army Air Forces from 1942-46 and was a long-term member of the VFW and American Legion.
After teaching biology and agricultural education for five years, Bill worked as an agent for Country Financial Insurance until his retirement in 1985.
He served as mayor of Tolono from 1961-69 and as a trustee for eight more years. He also was the treasurer for the Unit 7 school district for 20 years. Bill was an active member of Tolono United Methodist Church and the Tolono Lions Club.
He was a contributing writer for the County Star for many years and in 2000 compiled his writings in a book, "Buffalo Chips and Tolono Clips." In recent years, he served as president of the Tolono Historical Society and Veterans Museum.
Visitation will be held beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27, at the Tolono United Methodist Church, followed by celebration of resurrection at 11 a.m. The Rev. Tabitha Nelson will officiate. Interment will be at Bailey Memorial Cemetery. Freese Funeral Home, 407 N. Bourne St., Tolono, is in charge of arrangements.
He requested memorials be made to the Tolono Historical Society and Veterans Museum, 101 E. Holden St., Tolono, IL 61880; Tolono United Methodist Church, 301 N. Bourne, Tolono, IL 61880; or Carle Hospice, 206A W. Anthony Drive, Champaign, IL 61822.
TOLONO — William Dean Kirby of Tolono died Friday (Nov. 23, 2018) at the age of 98.
He was born on July 18, 1920, in Buffalo Hart, Ill., the son of Agnes Opal (Duncan) Kirby and Arthur Taylor Kirby. He married Norma Jean (Schroeder) Kirby on April 8, 1943.
He is survived by sons Robert (Claudia) and Rod (Cathy), seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma; son, Richard (Sue); daughter, Gail; parents; and five brothers.
Bill attended Blackburn College in Carlinville then graduated from the University of Illinois in 1942. He served as a second lieutenant in the Army Air Forces from 1942-46 and was a long-term member of the VFW and American Legion.
After teaching biology and agricultural education for five years, Bill worked as an agent for Country Financial Insurance until his retirement in 1985.
He served as mayor of Tolono from 1961-69 and as a trustee for eight more years. He also was the treasurer for the Unit 7 school district for 20 years. Bill was an active member of Tolono United Methodist Church and the Tolono Lions Club.
He was a contributing writer for the County Star for many years and in 2000 compiled his writings in a book, "Buffalo Chips and Tolono Clips." In recent years, he served as president of the Tolono Historical Society and Veterans Museum.
Visitation will be held beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27, at the Tolono United Methodist Church, followed by celebration of resurrection at 11 a.m. The Rev. Tabitha Nelson will officiate. Interment will be at Bailey Memorial Cemetery. Freese Funeral Home, 407 N. Bourne St., Tolono, is in charge of arrangements.
He requested memorials be made to the Tolono Historical Society and Veterans Museum, 101 E. Holden St., Tolono, IL 61880; Tolono United Methodist Church, 301 N. Bourne, Tolono, IL 61880; or Carle Hospice, 206A W. Anthony Drive, Champaign, IL 61822.
He was born on July 18, 1920, in Buffalo Hart, Ill., the son of Agnes Opal (Duncan) Kirby and Arthur Taylor Kirby. He married Norma Jean (Schroeder) Kirby on April 8, 1943.
He is survived by sons Robert (Claudia) and Rod (Cathy), seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma; son, Richard (Sue); daughter, Gail; parents; and five brothers.
Bill attended Blackburn College in Carlinville then graduated from the University of Illinois in 1942. He served as a second lieutenant in the Army Air Forces from 1942-46 and was a long-term member of the VFW and American Legion.
After teaching biology and agricultural education for five years, Bill worked as an agent for Country Financial Insurance until his retirement in 1985.
He served as mayor of Tolono from 1961-69 and as a trustee for eight more years. He also was the treasurer for the Unit 7 school district for 20 years. Bill was an active member of Tolono United Methodist Church and the Tolono Lions Club.
He was a contributing writer for the County Star for many years and in 2000 compiled his writings in a book, "Buffalo Chips and Tolono Clips." In recent years, he served as president of the Tolono Historical Society and Veterans Museum.
Visitation will be held beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27, at the Tolono United Methodist Church, followed by celebration of resurrection at 11 a.m. The Rev. Tabitha Nelson will officiate. Interment will be at Bailey Memorial Cemetery. Freese Funeral Home, 407 N. Bourne St., Tolono, is in charge of arrangements.
He requested memorials be made to the Tolono Historical Society and Veterans Museum, 101 E. Holden St., Tolono, IL 61880; Tolono United Methodist Church, 301 N. Bourne, Tolono, IL 61880; or Carle Hospice, 206A W. Anthony Drive, Champaign, IL 61822.
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