William "Bill" J. Whitworth

William (Bill) Joseph Whitworth of Farmersville Illinois died on the 6thof October 2019 in Springfield, Illinois. He was 78 years old. 

Bill was born on April 4, 1941 in Hillsboro, Illinois to Evelyn Marie Doerr and Louis Lamar Whitworth. He grew up in Butler, Illinois where he attended Butler Grade School until the 8thgrade. He graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1959. He was honorably discharged after two years of service in the US Army. In 1966, he graduated from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale and he was a member of the SIU Alumni Association. In 1967, he married Kathleen Rose Jordan at the St. Isidore Chapel in Farmersville Illinois. Most of Bill’s career was spent in the fertilizer industry. He started working for PotashCorp as a sales representative in 1977 and he remained there until he retired in 2005. Bill loved his fertilizer friends and he remained very close with many of his former customers and coworkers after his retirement.

Bill is survived by his wife Kathleen (Kathy) of Farmersville and his children, William (Melissa) Whitworth II of Arkdale, Wisconsin, Kristin (Jonathan Green) Whitworth of Columbia, Missouri, and Paul (Myra) Whitworth of Wadsworth, Illinois, and ten grandchildren (Devin, Erin, Jordan, Kathleen, Evelyn, Anna, Marilyn, Sarah, Brian and Emmett) and also his nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Robert (Bob) and sister-in-law Denise Whitworth. 

Bill was actively involved in the promotion and conservation of hunting and fishing. He was a long-time member of the National Rifle Association and Pheasants Forever. He and Kathy owned agricultural and recreational land in Illinois and Missouri. Bill was devoted to farming and enjoying their land.  

It is an understatement to note that Bill enjoyed life to the fullest. Every friend was the best person he knew, every trip was the most fun he ever had and every meal was the most delicious one he had ever eaten. Few fishing or hunting opportunities were passed up, and he grabbed any chance he could to cook for family or friends (no matter the number). When he wasn’t hunting, fishing or cooking, he could be found tending to his Conservation Reserve Program land in Butler, hunting and socializing with friends at the farm in Calhoun County, Illinois, or simply sitting up on his hill enjoying the view at St Elizabeth, Missouri. Most of all, Bill was very proud of his children and grandchildren. 

He was well loved by his friends and family. He will be missed, but he left us with plenty of memories. 

Visitation will be held on Friday Oct. 11 from 4 to 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Farmersville 

Funeral Mass will take place at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Fr. Allen officiating.

Memorials may be given to the Montgomery County Cancer Association or Montgomery County Pheasants Forever.

Condolences may be left at www.houghfuneralhome.com

The Family is being assisted by Hough Funeral Homes.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.