William F Heaton

Born July 16, 1926 in South Pekin to Floyd and Margaret (McCarthy) Heaton, he married Velma Lichtenberger on April 15, 1944 in Kahoka, Missouri. She died June 11, 1998.

Surviving are 1 son, Danin Heaton of Gaston, South Carolina; 2 daughters, Joy (Mark) McConnell and Joy Heaton, both of Delavan; 2 granddaughters, Kathlyn McConnell of Delavan and Christine (Allen) Hightower of Normal; 2 great-grandsons, Tyler and Ryan Hightower; and 1 sister, Lois (Melvin) Becker of Pekin.

Bill was presently employed as a consultant by 187 of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Previously, he had worked for 10 years as a consultant and melter for Ameristeel of Jackson, Tennessee. Prior to that, he worked for Keystone Steel and Wire Company in Bartonville for over 37 years, retiring in 1980 as a general foreman.

He was a member of the Delavan United Methodist Church.

Bill served in the U.S. Army at the end of World War II. He was a member of Pekin AMVETS Post #235 and the Delavan American Legion Post 382.

Active in many Masonic organizations, he was a member of: Empire Lodge #126 Ancient Free & Accepted Masons in Pekin; Mohammed Temple, Shrine; Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Peoria in Bartonville; Royal Arch Masons #25 in Pekin; Peoria Commandry #3; Vice president of the Shriners' Antique Car Club; and the Order of the Eastern Chapter #974 in Morton. He was the associate guardian of Job's Daughters Bethel #55 in Pekin.

He was a lifelong diehard Chicago Cubs fan.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 19, 2008at the Delavan United Methodist Church. Rev. Larry Moreau will officiate. Burial will be in Prairie Rest Cemetery in Delavan, with military rites accorded by his American Legion post. There will be no visitation. Arrangements have been entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to Job's Daughters Bethel #55, c/o Joy Heaton, 110 B St., Delavan, IL 61734.