Willard A. Pauley

Willard A. Pauley, 100, of rural Sumner, Illinois passed away Thursday, June 21, 2018 at the United Methodist Village-South Campus in Lawrenceville, Illinois. He was born December 1, 1917 in Richland County, Illinois, the son of Ray and Edna (Roney) Pauley. He married Mary M. Rodrick on January 15, 1943 and she preceded him in death on December 8, 1996.

Willard was a life-long farmer. After retiring from farming, he bought and sold small farm equipment. He served his country as an Army veteran from 1942-1945 in WWII. At the age of 98, he went on an Honor Flight trip to Washington D.C. He enjoyed collecting cast iron banks, Griswold Cast Iron Skillets, cast iron tractor seats, and Keen Kutter Knives and Tools. He was a member of the Chauncey United Methodist Church.

Preceding him in death were his parents; wife, Mary; three brothers, Millard J. Pauley, Esco Pauley, and Fern Pauley; and two sisters, Ethel Witsman, and Mabel Piersall.

Survivors include two sons, Donnie (Tonya) Pauley of rural Sumner, Illinois and Rick (Judy) Pauley of rural Sumner, Illinois; one daughter, Janice (Wayne) Gray of Bloomington, Indiana; two sisters, Rosella Kimpling of Peoria, Illinois and Elzanna Lanter of Mattoon, Illinois; seven grandchildren, Jodi (Scott) Pauley Finley, Annie (Jr.) Pauley Spitz, Dawn (Rex) Gray Tayloe, Marta (Ben) Gray Herzon, Jaclyn (Matthew) Pauley Peterson, Joanna (Roger) Pauley Johnson, and Matt Pauley; 13 great-grandchildren, Leslie Ann (Travis) Finley Rich, Isaac (Bailey) Finley, Morgan (Darrell) Spitz Newell, Meredith Spitz, Laurel Tayloe, Gus Tayloe, Hank Tayloe, Calvin Herzon, Eli Herzon, Norah Peterson, Charlotte Peterson, Gavin Emmons, and Jack Johnson; and three great-great-grandchildren, Emmett Rich, Loralyn Rich, and Brody Finley.

Funeral services will be Sunday, June 24, 2018 at 1:30 PM CST at the Sivert-Macey & Steffey Funeral Home in Sumner, Illinois. Visitation will be Sunday from 12:30 PM until 1:30 PM CST at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Chauncey Cemetery with military rites. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Willard’s memory may be made to the Chauncey-Landes United Methodist Church.

Please visit www.emmonsmaceysteffey.com to view the tribute and to send condolences.