James Willoughby Greathouse

JAMES WILLOUGHBY GREATHOUSE, 74, of Arthur, IL passed away at 9:50 P.M. on Friday, September 20, 2024, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, IL. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at the Edwards Funeral Home in Arcola, IL. Burial will be in the Arthur Cemetery. A visitation will be held one hour before the funeral at the funeral home. 

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Douglas County Animal Shelter. 

James was born on May 1, 1950, in Glasgow, KY. He was the oldest son of Elijah G. and Mae (Parrish) Greathouse. He married Neda Beth Crowe on January 5, 1970, in Gallatin, TN. She passed away on March 18, 2014.

He is survived by two daughters, Tracy Martin and her husband Jay and Katey Custer and her husband Tyler all of Arthur, IL: six granddaughters, Rebecca Bucciarelli and her husband Ryan of Wentzville, MO, McKayla Custer, Chloe Custer, Emeline Greathouse, Anabella Custer and Lorelei Custer all of Arthur, IL and two great grandchildren, Rhett James Bucciarelli and Willoughby Bambina Bucciarelli. 

James was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, George Greathouse, and G.B. and Golden (Willoughby Greathouse) Fraim, maternal grandparents, Houston, and Beatrice (Stewart) Parrish, his parents, Elijah G., and Mae (Parrish) Greathouse. and two brothers, Mark, and Danny Greathouse.

James grew up in Fountain Run, KY. He graduated from High School in Gamaliel, KY with the Class of 1968. He worked for the State of Kentucky, Coca-Cola, Holley Carburetors, and in his later years he drove a truck for Rheme Bag in Arthur, and Overton Trucking. Most recently he drove a truck for Nutrien Ag Solutions of LaPlace, IL.

Back in the day James enjoyed Drag Racing and won many trophies. He also enjoyed gardening and visiting neighbors. He enjoyed a good Steven Seagal movie, the Lethal Weapon movies, but his all-time favorite movies were Westerns, especially Wyatt Earp.

He was fond of animals and really liked dogs. 

James was immensely proud of his grandchildren and his great grandchildren.