William Bumgarner Sr

WILLIAM E. BUMGARNER SR, 84, of Arcola, IL, passed away at 8:15 A.M. Sunday, October 2, 2011 at his residence.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, October 6, 2011 at the Edwards Funeral Home, 221 East Main in Arcola, IL. Masonic rites will be conducted by the Arcola Masonic Lodge 366 AF and AM following visitation on Thursday at the funeral home and a celebration of Bill’s life officiated by Rev. Don Winch will follow the Masonic rites at the funeral home on Thursday.

Bill was born on May 2, 1927 in Morganton, NC. He was a son of Conley H. and Katherine (Hyatt) Bumgarner. He married Margaret Natalie Wheelon on January 20, 1945 in Gaffney SC.

He is survived by his wife, Natalie Bumgarner of Arcola, IL, four children, William E. Bumgarner Jr. and his wife Colletta of Greenfield, IN, Patricia Hawkins and her husband Leon of Arcola, IL, Eric Bumgarner and his wife Paula of Rochester, IL and Debra Hicks and her husband Ralph of Morganton, NC, six grandchildren, Jeff Gardner and his wife Margy of Tuscola, IL, Christopher Bumgarner of Bloomington, IN, Nicholas Bumgarner of Mattoon, IL, Shawna McNamer and her husband Ryan of Arcola, IL, Amy Martin and her husband Adam and Gary Achor and his wife Sara Jo all of Greendfield, IN; 11 great-grandchildren; one sister, Connie Smith of Morganton, NC; and two brothers, Harmon Bumgarner and his wife Patsy and Donald Bumgarner and his wife Lamarr of Bean Station, TN.

Bill retired from the military after twenty-four year of service. He served in the Army and the Illinois National Guard. After the military, he worked at Ron Smith Trucking, King Brothers and Terra Fertilizer. He enjoyed playing golf with his family and friends, mowing and farming especially harvest.

He was a member of the Arcola Presbyterian Church where he served as a deacon and elder. He was a member of the Arcola Masonic lodge where he served as a past master and he was a member of the Arcola Lions Club.

Memorials may be made to Sarah Bush Cancer Center
Or to the Arcola Masonic Lodge.