William Larry Darwent

William Larry Darwent, 75, of Chatham passed away peacefully on Monday, April 2, 2018, at his residence, with his family by his side. He was born September 4, 1942, in Jacksonville, IL to William Lester and Marjorie Katherine Grogan Darwent. His parents, brother Charles and half-brother, Mark preceded him in death. Larry proudly served his country in the US Air Force from 1960 until 1965, when he was honorably discharged. He married Mary Ann Todd on February 4, 1967. Larry was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Chatham and the Knights of Columbus Council 4179. Larry worked in construction sales through SS Builders Hardware and Savage Doorways for many years. Sports were a big part of his life: he was the voice of the Redskins as a sports announcer from 1986-1995; he coached the 1990 Mickey Mantle Baseball League Team (15 and 16-year-old boys) to the World Series in Connecticut, winning 4th Place! He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and loved golfing and fishing. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 51 years, Mary Ann; son, Travis Todd (Aimee) Darwent of Ringold, GA; daughter, Julie Lynn (Gary) Mueller of Springfield; grandchildren, Zach Hopkins, Cody Hopkins, Hayley McAfee and Reese Mueller, all of Springfield, Morgan Breeden, Hailie Breeden and Preston Breeden all of Ringgold, GA; sister, Sally (Jim) Clinton of Spaulding; sister-in-law, Sharon (Steve) Little of Winchester. Cremation rites will be accorded by Cremation Services of Central Illinois, Chatham, before all services. A prayer vigil will be held at 4 pm, Sunday, April 8, at Staab Polk Memorial Home, 8855 State Route 4, Chatham, 62629. His family will then greet friends from 4:15 pm until 6:30 pm. A celebration of Larrys life will begin at 6:30 pm, where there will be sharing of memories by his family and friends. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, 700 East Spruce Street, Chatham, at 12 Noon, Monday, April 9, with Fr. John Nolan officiating. A private committal service will be held at Camp Butler National Cemetery where the Interveterans Burial Detail and the Department of Defense will conduct Military Honors at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Chatham Fire Protection District, Fireman Square, Chatham, IL, 62629 or Shriners Hospital for Children, 4400 Clayton Avenue, St Louis, MO 63110; www.LoveToTheRescue.Org