William Raymond Montgomery

July 7, 1922 - September 13, 2011

William Raymond Montgomery, age 89, of Tampa, FL, formerly of Marion, IL, passed away at 10:28 a.m., on Tuesday, September 13, 2011, in St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa, FL. William Raymond Montgomery, the son of Homas Duco “H. D.” and Inez L. (Albright) Montgomery, was born Friday, July 7, 1922, on the family farm south of Marion, IL in the Neilson community. He grew up on the family farm and walked one and a half miles to a one room school, and was a graduate of Marion High School. He was united in marriage to Velsie Lorine Robertson in 1940, and together they have shared over seventy-one years of marriage. While living on the family farm he was a member of Fountain United Methodist Church south of Marion and in Tampa he attended the Christ Chapel Church, was a life member of Saline No. 339 Masonic Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Goreville, and was a life member of V.F.W. Heyde-Pillow Post 1301 of Marion. He first worked on the family farm and in construction. In 19 42, he worked on the C. & E. I. Railroad as a locomotive fireman and as a fireman stoker. On June 22, 1944, he was inducted into the United States Army and while serving in Germany was wounded in April of 1945, with shrapnel wounds to his left arm and back and spent two months in the hospital. During his faithful service he was awarded several medals including the Silver Star and the Purple Heart and was honorably discharged, December 12, 1945. He returned home and worked on the family farm and part time on the railroad and was elected and served as a Williamson County Commissioner from 1948 thru 1950. For many years he worked in construction working in Thule, Greenland in 1953, Vietnam from 1968 thru 1970; in Nigeria, Africa in 1981 and the Marshall Islands in the South Pacific in 1982. In 1954 he was employed by the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Marion, IL. In 1972 he worked at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Tampa, FL and transferred to the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Louisville, KY and retired in 1976, as chief of maintenance. He returned to Tampa, FL in 1978, and was employed by University Community Hospital and the Amoco Terminal both in Tampa. The Montgomery family is a large and close family and Raymond was looking forward to the family reunion this weekend in Marion. His family and friends were very important to him and he will be missed and long remembered by those who knew and loved him. He is survived by his wife, Velsie Lorine Montgomery of Tampa, FL; three daughters and sons-in-law, Pat and Bill Gray of Marion, IL, Barbara and Bob Baker of Collinsville, IL and Diane and Gary Norton of Mesquite, TX; two sons and daughter-in-law, David “Ed” and Tierney Montgomery of Tampa, FL and Richard “Dean” Montgomery of Tampa, FL; eighteen grandchildren, Kim Thompson and husband, Greg, Billy Gene Gray and wife, Christy, Michelle Leonard and husband, Mike, Tricia Wood and husband, Tony, Janette King and husband, Denny, John Stephen Little and wife, Serena, Robert David Little, Charla Little, Hannah Little, Anne Watkins and husband, Wesley, Kristina Agan and husband, Brian, Jena Montgomery and boyfriend, Eric, Joshua Montgomery and girlfriend, Jennie, Nicole Montgomery, Chris Montgomery and girlfriend, Jamie, Jesse Montgomery and wife, Jamie, Matthew Montgomery and girlfriend, Sarah and Kayla Montgomery; twenty-three great-grandchildren; two brothers and four sisters-in-law, Perry and Betty Montgomery of Marion, IL, John and Sandy Montgomery of Dongola, IL, Reba Montgomery and Lamoya Montgomery both of Marion, IL; brother-in-law, Paul Robinson and wife, Peggy of Marion, IL; several nieces and nephews, other extended family and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Helena J. Robinson, infant brother, Frank and brothers, Glenn, Ross and H. D. Montgomery. Arrangements for William Raymond Montgomery were entrusted to the Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court Street, of Marion, IL. A time of visitation for family and friends was on Sunday, September 18th, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home, with Masonic services at 7:00 p.m. conducted by Saline No. 339 Masonic Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Goreville. The Masonic officers participating were Worshipful Masters, Edwin A. Robinson and Ronald D. Almaroad; Chaplains, James C. Middleton and Robert Blomquist; Treasurer, Clayton L. Harrison; and Secretary, Tracy W. Harris. During the time of visitation a “Reflection of Life” DVD Memorial Tribute featuring special people, places and events of Raymond’s life was presented to the family and friends. The funeral service was at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 19, 2011, with Rev. Kenneth W. Blumenstock presiding. Comments of memory were presented by brothers, John & Perry Montgomery and daughter, Barb Baker. The prelude and postlude musical selections were presented by pianist, Michelle Leonard. Special vocal musical selections presented during the service were “Heavens Just A Flight Away” and “Old Rugged Cross” both by Michelle Leonard, Trica Wood and Janette King with Michelle Leonard accompanying on the piano and “Some Day” presented acappella by Tony and Trica Wood. Special recorded vocal musical selection presented was “Long Black Train” by Josh Turner. Interment followed in Egyptian Memorial Gardens Cemetery of Energy, IL with nephew, Gordon Montgomery; brother, John Montgomery and Rev. Kenneth Blumenstock presiding. Pallbearers were Ed Montgomery, Joshua Montgomery, Robert Baker, Bill Gray, Billy Gene Gray and Gary Norton. Military honors were accorded at the graveside by members of the V.F.W. Heyde-Pillow Post No. 1301, American Legion Post No. 147 and the Illinois National Guard all of Marion, IL. Those participating were Commander, Larry Largent; Chaplain, Dan Fruge; Officer of the Day, Pat Campbell; Bugler, Dave Brown; Color Guard, Jesse James; National Colors, Ernie Rinella; Firing Squad, Bill Deaton, Fred Read, Brian Samuel, Ron Russell and Don Burgrabe. Illinois National Guard members participating in the folding of the flag were SSG Brandon Page and SPC Cory Brinkley. Presentation of the flag to Velsie was by SPC Cory Brinkley. Following the committal service at the cemetery the family and friends gathered at Western Sizzlin Restaurant of Marion, for a meal and continued time of fellowship. For those who preferred, memorial contributions were made to “Missions in Belize” with checks payable to Mike & Michelle Leonard. Memorial contribution envelopes were available at the funeral home or were mailed in care of Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, P.O. Box 370, Marion, IL 62959. For additional information please call the funeral home at 618-993-2131.