William Abernathy

CHESTER, Ill. -- William Ray "Bill" Abernathy, 66, of Chester passed away Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2005, at his home.

Bill was born Oct. 23, 1939, at Wolf Lake, Ill., son of Rose Mae Wright of Commerce, Mo., and Leo Edward Abernathie of Wolf Lake. He and Carole Bruning were married Aug. 16, 1958, in Inglewood, Calif.

She survives along with three children and 10 grandchildren of whom he was very proud: Bill Abernathy of Chester (Adam and Erica of Bartlett, Tenn., Will Abernathy of Tega Cay, S.C., Matthew of Chester); Christie and Kenneth Phillips (Ashley, Autumn and Alexandra) of Chester; Michael and Lisa Tinsman Abernathy (Kaleb, Gabriel and Gunther) of Taylorville, Ill.; a sister, Doris Christy of Scott City, Mo.; two brothers, Charles of Grand Tower, Ill., Larry Joe of Las Vegas, Nev.; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Virginia Hodges of Oran, Mo.; and a brother, Robert Edward Abernathy of Cape Girardeau.

Bill enjoyed being with family and friends on many camping, hunting and relaxation get-togethers.

He served with the U.S. Navy during the 1960s, and encouraged his three children to enlist and also serve their country.

He was a member of American Legion, Eagles of Chester, Chester Moose Lodge, and the NRA.

Bill lived an exciting life full of travels around the U.S., Mexico, Scotland, Wales and UK. He was an avid hunter with a Boone and Crocket Club award for a nontypical white tail deer which he harvested during a Crab Orchard hunt for the handicapped.

He was a man who wore many hats: managed two Union 76 filling stations in California, delivered milk to the Hollywood stars in Malibu, Calif., worked for Bunny Bread, and Metropolitan Insurance Co., in Chester. He was mentor to many young people, teaching them plumbing, electrical, auto mechanics, hunting, fishing, carpet installation, home repair/remodeling, roofing, painting, lawn care, and building a hot tub.

No job was too big or too small for him to tackle with the help of his young people. Bill was "the rock," full of knowledge at trivia contests during the family get-togethers in Chester.

He requested cremation with no funeral service.

If you would like to celebrate Bill's life with us, please stop by the house on Saturday, Nov. 5, between 1 and 5 p.m. We will be home with lots of photos and memories to share.

Memorials may be made to Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, Minn., or Hospice of Southern Illinois, 305 S. Illinois St., Belleville, Ill., 62220.