William Henry 'Bill' Harper

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[William Henry "Bill" Harper, 88, of Eldorado passed away Monday, March 14, 2011, at the Veterans Affairs Nursing Home in Marion.

Bill was born in Wasson on Dec. 25, 1923, to the late Lowery Ellis and Ruby Faye (Oliver) Harper. On Nov. 4, 1978, he married the former Christine Caroline Dalman, who survives.

Bill was a retired Navy veteran and also retired from International Harvester. In 1981, he and his wife moved back to Eldorado.

In addition to his wife he is survived by two children, Thomas Sienkowski of Herrin and Sandra (Mike) Poidomani of Northlake; three brothers, Jim (Donna) Harper of Eldorado, John (Margaret) Harper of Hobart, Ind. and Alvin David (Ann) Harper of Edwardsville; two sisters, Vesta Rose Davidson of Highland, Ind. and Joella Hughes of Scottsdale, Ariz.; two sisters-in-law, Hideko Harper of California and Rosemary Harper of Eldorado; four grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Edward, Gene, Ted and Bob; and two sisters, Alice Fay and Dora Leeanne.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, March 19, 2011, at Colonial Terrace Funeral Home in Eldorado with the Rev. Russell Helton officiating. Visitation is 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 18, 2011, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Cedar Bluff Cemetery near Eddyville with military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to VNA Hospice and will be accepted at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family at the Internet site www.colonialterracefuneralhome.com.