Victor T Wood

NORTH PEKIN ~ Victor Thomas Wood, 79, of North Pekin, passed away at 12:15 a.m., Monday, January 19, 2009 at his home surrounded by his family. Born May 28, 1929 in Belknap to Oneal and Beulah (Griffith) Wood, he married Emily Atkison on January 10, 1949 in North Pekin.  She survives.

Also surviving are three sons, George A. (Zepha) Wood of Kewanee, Thomas L. (Tracy) Wood of Peoria, and Victor W. “Bill” Wood of East Peoria; four daughters, Judy (Leroy) Taylor of Pekin, Paula (David) Pierce of Bloomington, Rhonda (Steve) Naas of North Pekin, and Cathy Espinoza of Pekin; 24 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren; and one brother, James W. “Bill” Wood of Sacramento, California.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Eugene, Oneal, and Floyd; one infant sister, Amaryliss; one son-in-law, Don; two granddaughters, Dawn and Carla; and two great-grandchildren, Bethany and Ronald, Jr.

Victor worked as a boilermaker out of Boilermakers Local #60 in Morton for 45 years.

He served in the United States Army in Japan during World War II.

He also provided 37 years of service to the Village of North Pekin from February 16, 1965 to March 31, 2002, serving as a Police Officer, Treasurer, Trustee, and on the Planning and Zoning Commission.  He also was a member of the Frank Nicol Masonic Lodge #1170, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons in Creve Coeur.

He was a member of the Greater Pekin United Pentecostal Church in North Pekin.

His funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, January 22, 2009 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel.  Pastor Huey Long will officiate.  Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at the funeral home.  Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin, where military rites will be provided by the United States Army and the Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 4234 N. Knoxville Ave., Peoria, IL 61614.