Bill Pritchett
Bill Pritchett, 85, of Goreville, died at 1:18 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion.
Mr. Pritchett was born on Nov. 2, 1938, at the family home in Goreville. He was the son of Harry and Jennie Thornton Pritchett.
On April 20, 1957, he married Clairus Lee Lirely in Corinth, Miss. She preceded him in death on Jan. 2, 2023.
Mr. Pritchett is survived by his children, Rodney (Barbara) Pritchett, Cheryl (Tim) Gage, Wade (Annette) Pritchett and Brian (Jackie) Pritchett, all of Goreville; eight grandchildren, Stacy (Jeff) Tharp, Josh Pritchett, Aaron Pritchett, Corey Pritchett, Christopher (Krystal) Gage, Jordan (Olivia Womack) Gage, Brandi (Josiah) Miller and Ashley (Keith) Bennett; 11 great-grandchildren, Connor, Emma, Jack, Gracie, Parker, Hayes, Otto, Knox, Dom, Jasper and Campbell Faye; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many dear friends.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his siblings, John Crawford, Clara Long, Maxine Crawford and Arma Lea Merriman.
He was a 1957 graduate of Goreville High School. He began his career as a lineman with General Telephone in 1964 and continued to work for the company until his retirement.
Mr. Pritchett was very community minded. He served for over 30 years as a volunteer fireman with the Goreville Fire Department. He also was a former member of the Goreville Village Board.
He was a longtime blood donor at American Red Cross blood drives, having donated gallons of blood through the years.
He was a member of the Goreville United Methodist Church, where he had served as a former president of the church board of trustees. He also attended Busby Chapel Freewill Baptist Church.
Mr. Pritchett is fondly remembered as an avid and staunch supporter of the Goreville Blackcats athletics program. In his youth, he was a hunter. Through his life, he enjoyed motorcycling and was a Harley-Davidson enthusiast. He also enjoyed gardening.
A service honoring the life of Mr. Pritchett was conducted at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, at Busby Chapel Freewill Baptist Church, Goreville. Pastor Darren Clark officiated. Burial was in Cana Cemetery north of Goreville.
Memorials can be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, 204 Halfway Rd., Marion, Ill. 62959; the Heather Harper Treat Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 98, Vienna, Ill. 62995; or to the Goreville Blackcats Sports Foundation, c/o Goreville High School, 201 S. Ferne Clyffe Rd., Goreville, Illinois 62939. Please make checks for the sports foundation payable to “Goreville Athletics.”
To share a memory or to leave an online message of condolence for his family, visit www.baileyfh.com.
Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna was in charge of arrangements.