Paul William Robinson Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Paul W. Robinson, age 88, of Marion, IL, passed away at 3:21 a.m. on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, in the Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center of Marion. He was born on May 12, 1933, in Springfield, IL, the son of Paul Revere and Williene Helen (Murphy) Robinson. Paul attended school in Springfield, and was a graduate of Feitshans High School Class of 1951. He continued with his education at Illinois State-Normal University where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. After his graduation he enlisted into the United States Navy in 1955, and after his period of faithful service was honorably discharged in 1957. Paul was and exception athlete and was inducted into the Springfield Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. Some of his other sporting accomplishments include; being a two-time all-city basketball and baseball selection (1950and 1951) during high school. He played baseball at Illinois State-Normal University from 1951-55 and helped ISNU to conference titles in 1954 and 1955, when he was an all-conference selection. In 1955 he was one of 25 players from across the United States picked to go on three month good-will baseball tour to south Africa. In 1956-57, he went to the All-Navy Tournament in New Jersey on an all-star team that finished third. In 1957 Robinson signed with the Cleveland Indians and played winter ball in Colombia, South America, where his team won the winter league playoffs. In 1958 he played at Reading, Pa., of the Class A Eastern League and had a brief stint in the major leagues with the Cleveland Indians. He was picked to the Eastern League All-Star team that season. He went to spring training with the parent Cleveland Indians in 1959 but spent most of 1959 and 1960 between San Diego in the Class AAA Pacific Coast League and Nashville in the Class AA Southern Association. He was with San Diego when he retired in the middle of 1961 season. He was first united in marriage to Helena June Montgomery on May 12, 1959, in Mobile, AL, and together they shared over 40 years of marriage until her death on September 26, 1999. This union was blessed with four children; Janis, Paula, Paul “Billy” and M. Scott. He later was united in marriage to Martha Peggy Galliher on June 21, 2008, in the Third Baptist Church of Marion, and together they have shared over 13 years of marriage. Early in his working career he worked for the Illinois Secretary of State, where he met his first wife, Helena. He later along with his wife, created the business “Robinson License Service” where they both served as Remitter’s dealing with license plates and titles with the State of Illinois and area businesses of the region. He later became involved in masonry and worked for many of the major contractors of the area until he retired. He was a member of the Fountian United Methodist Church, located south of Marion. He also was a 50-year member of the Plasters and Cement Masons Local Union No. 143 of Champaign, IL, V.F.W. Heyde-Pillow Post No. 1301 of Marion, Fraternal Order of Eagles Aeries No. 2457 of Marion, and lifetime member of the Marion Elks Lodge B.P.O.E. No. 800 of Marion. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, deer hunting and playing cards. When his children were young, he was very involved in all their sporting activities and helped coaching games. He was one of the founding members of the Khoury League Baseball and Softball Program of Marion. He loved his large family and was always interested in hearing about all the many activities going on in their lives. The many memories that have been created will now be cherished by those he leaves behind. He is survived by his wife, Peggy Robinson of Marion; two daughters, Janis Cunningham of Marion, and Paula Wells and husband, Junior of Marion; two sons, Paul “Billy” Robinson and wife, Kristi of Marion and M. Scott Robinson and wife, Jill of Springfield, IL; sixteen grandchildren, Shannon Edwards and husband, Andy of Marion, Tobi Cunningham of Marion, Tory Cunningham and wife, Wendy of Marion, Candace Wells-Myers and husband, Michael of Indianapolis, IN, Richard Wells and wife, Stephanie of Lick Creek, IL, Mandie Secrest and husband, Taylor of Glen Carbon, IL, O.J. Wells and wife, Tasha of Marion, Jami Robinson and wife, Constance of Lake Charles, LA, Brittney Sandoval and husband, Mike of Lawson, MO, Nikki Robinson of Owasso, OK, Michael Robinson of Owasso, OK, Krista Robinson of Marion, Anthony Parise of Verdigris, OK, Josiah Robinson and wife, Alice of Sapulpa, OK, Keagan Robinson and wife, Hilary of Athens, IL and Wyatt Robinson of Boston, MA, twenty-three great grandchildren; four sisters-in-law, Reba Montgomery, Betty Montgomery and Louise Montgomery all of Marion, and Sandy Montgomery of Southern Illinois; three step-children, Donna Sims and husband, Don of Carmi, IL, Patti Williams and husband, David of Festus, MO, and Peggy Sprague of Carbondale, IL; nine step grandchildren, Caitlynn Rawlings of CO, Katrina Sutton and husband, Brandon of Eldorado, IL, Rhonda Cantrell and husband, Corey of Carmi, IL, Khrystal Davis and husband, Curtis of TX, Heath Williams, Jon Williams of MO, Ashleigh Williams of Springfield, MO, Aaron Williams of St. Louis, MO and Amber Dover of Marion, fifteen step great-grandchildren; step sister-in-law, Marilyn Tanner of Stonefort, IL, many other extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Helena and step-son, Steve Sprague. Arrangements are entrusted to Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 North Court Street, Marion, IL. The visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 23, 2022, at the funeral home. Following the time of visitation, the funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Kenneth Blumenstock presiding. Interment will follow in Fountain Cemetery south of Marion, IL. Military honors will be accorded at the graveside by members of Marion V.F.W. Heyde Pillow Post No. 1301 Funeral Honors Detail and members of the United States Navy Funeral Honors Detail. The family has requested for those who prefer, memorial contributions be made to; “Fountain Cemetery.” Memorial contributions may be mailed in care of Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court Street, Marion, IL, 62959. Memorial contribution envelopes will be available at the funeral home. For additional information call the funeral home at 618-993-2131.

Paul William Robinson

May 12, 1933 - January 19, 2022