William Earl Britt

<p class="p1">William Earl Britt, 90, of Cobden, and formerly of Mounds, died at 7:07 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015, at his home.</p><p class="p1">He was born on Nov. 11, 1924, in Pulaski County, the son of William and Florence Wilson Britt.</p><p class="p1">On Sept. 28, 1946, he married the love of his life, Ruby Aldred. They enjoyed 69 years together.</p><p class="p1">He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After his service, he owned and operated Britt Body Shop in Mounds. In his spare time he showed his talent as a great craftsman in woodworking, by making many different types of instruments and toys for his grandchildren and also gardening.</p><p class="p1">The true joys of his life were his children and grandchildren. He loved making homemade candies and being a magician for his grandchildren. His children and grandchildren will always remember him as a kind and caring Christian man.</p><p class="p1">He was a member of the American Legion in Mounds, a deacon for the First Baptist Church in Mounds and Alto Pass Congregational Church.</p><p class="p1">He is survived by his wife, Ruby Britt of Cobden; sons Louis (Jeannie) Britt of Cobden and Jimmy (Nellie) Britt of Sparta; grandchildren Tammy, Gerald (Melissa), Amy (Frank), Wally (Lisa), Corey (Ebony) and April; 14 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Pearl Calvert of Charlotte, North Carolina; many nieces, nephews and other relatives and many friends.</p><p class="p1">He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Beulah (Melvin) Taylor; and a brother-in-law, Ray Calvert.</p><p class="p1">Funeral services were at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at the First Baptist Church in Mounds with the Rev. Gilbert Gee officiating. Interment was in Green Lawn Memorial Gardens, with military honors by the Illinois National Guard and local veterans.</p><p class="p1">Memorials can be made to the First Baptist Church in Mounds or to the Alto Pass Congregational Church.</p><p class="p1">To leave online condolences, visit www.crainsonline.com.</p><p class="p1">Crain Funeral Home in Anna-Jonesboro was in charge of arrangements.</p>

William Earl Britt