Wilfrieda Florence Gillins, 93, of Tuscola, IL, passed away at 6:35 p.m.; Sunday, May 13, 2018 at the Tuscola Health Care Center, Tuscola, IL.

Wilfrieda was born February 14, 1925, the daughter of Herman N. and Loretta K. Laley Decker. She grew up on a farm south of Philo, Illinois and then met Kenneth "Red" L. Gillins whom she married on March 5, 1949. He preceded her in death on November 21, 2005.

She is survived by three sisters: Grace Bowen of Savoy, Verina Wilhelm and Clarice Schweighart Painter both of Tuscola, three brothers; Alvin Decker of Philo, Maurice Decker of Champaign and Gerald Decker of St. Paul, Minnesota, 29 nieces and nephews and countless extended family.

She was also preceded in death by her parents and sister, Genevieve Clark.

Upon graduating from high school, Wilfrieda attended beauty school then worked at a salon in Villa Grove, IL. She and Ken moved to Richton Park, Illinois where she was a devoted housewife. In the Mid 1990's, Ken and Wilfrieda retired to St. Petersburg, Florida. Wilfrieda, known to many as "Billie" or "Willie", was a talented artist/painter. Many of her paintings were seascapes or farms. Though she did not have children of her own, she 'mothered' many. She touched the lives of countless individuals and shared her wisdom with those she met along her life journey.

Wilfrieda was a devout Catholic. She will be cremated with her ashes buried next to her husband in the Villa Grove Cemetery. A memorial service is planned for later this summer.

Online condolences may be shared with the family via hilligossshraderfh.com

Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, 705 South Main Street, Tuscola, IL is assisting the family with arrangements.