William Palmer

PULASKI, Ill. -- William Vaughn Palmer, 83, of Pulaski died Friday, July 23, 2004, at Daystar Care Center in Cairo, Ill.

He was born Sept. 10, 1920, in rural Pulaski, son of James Arthur and Nellie Frances Gillespie Palmer.

Mr. Palmer lived his entire life in the Pulaski area.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Dorthy Troester Palmer of Pulaski; a son and daughter-in-law, Stephen "Butch" and Jeanie Palmer of Lancaster, Pa.; two daughters and sons-in-law, Jane and George Nelson of Olmsted, Ill., Susan and Don Henson of Cape Girardeau; grandchildren, Matthew and Andrew Palmer of Lancaster, Becky Williams (Billy) Anderson of Ullin, Ill., Michelle Williams (J.T.) Lang of Olmsted, Timothy Williams of Olmsted, Bill Churchill, Kerri Churchill and Cheri Churchill of Cape Girardeau.

Also surviving are stepgrandchildren, George Nelson Jr. and Amanda Nelson of Champaign, Ill., Rose Nelson of Montgomery, Ala., Ruth Nelson of Dongola, Ill., Danny Henson, David and Linda Henson, and Tammy Henson, all of Cape Girardeau; great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Williams of Ullin, James Thomas Lang III of Olmsted, Alex Churchill of Cape Girardeau; great-stepgrandchildren, Don Michael Henson and Cody Henson of Cape Girardeau; several nieces and nephews.

Vaughn was a hard-working man all his life. He loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and was always there for them.

Vaughn was a friend to everyone he met. He was highly respected by his family and so many friends. He always enjoyed working outside with several gardens and was an avid reader of westerns.

He served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Vaughn farmed with his father on their farm southeast of Pulaski for many years. He worked for Pulaski County Highway Department, Heilig's Fertilizer in Pulaski, and Illinois Department of Transportation, retiring in December 1985.

He graduated from Ullin High School in 1939. He was a member of Pulaski Christian Church, Pulaski County VFW Post 8891 at Mounds, Ill., board member for the village of Pulaski, and truly enjoyed being the Pulaski County Fair marshal and working at the entrance gate for almost 40 years.

Mr. Palmer was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Lettie June Palmer, Betty Jo Brown, Elaine Lance, Evelyn Cruse; and a brother, Elwin Palmer

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to noon Sunday at Jones Funeral Home in Villa Ridge, Ill., and Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to time of service at Pulaski Christian Church.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the church, with the Rev. Don Henson officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Pulaski, with full military honors by members of Pulaski County VFW Post 8891.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of memorials to Olmsted Public Library in memory of Vaughn Palmer.