William E. "Willie" Benner, 74, of Tuscola, IL, passed away peacefully on Saturday evening, November 19, 2022 at his residence with his family by his side.

Public Graveside Services with military rites accorded will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at the Cartwright Cemetery, rural Tuscola, IL with Rev. Terri Haas officiating.

Willie was born on January 27, 1948 in Tuscola, the son of John Wilbur and Helen Marie Marty Benner. He married Kay A. Russell on January 11, 1971 at the Cartwright Church, rural Tuscola. She survives.

Also surviving are his son: Bill (Janice) Benner of Newman, daughter: Tricia (Casey) Willoughby of Tuscola, grandchildren: Andrea Benner, Will Benner, Reegan Willoughby and Zella Willoughby, brother: Claude (Gail) Benner of Tuscola, sister: Mary Meadows of Renton, WA.

He was preceded by his parents, grandson: Bain Willoughby, brother: Tom Benner and sister: Marion (Vern) Huffington.

Willie served his country in the US Army during the Vietnam War. He retired from the University of Illinois where he worked at the Abbott Power Plant. He loved his family very much and enjoyed race cars, his cats and raising flowers.

Memorials are suggested to the Douglas County Animal Shelter.

Online condolences may be shared via hilligossshraderfh.com