William Wilks Purcell Sr.

William Wilks Purcell Sr., age 80, of Centralia, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2014.

Born Aug. 24, 1934, he was the son of Henry Everett Purcell and Lila Ethel Elledge of Du Quoin. He married Doris Jean Little on May 24, 1952 in Du Quoin. Bill was a retired security guard with Centralia Correctional Center. He was an avid golfer and spent every possible day on the golf course. He also loved to play pool.

He is preceded in death by his wife Doris, son Brian and grandson Landon.

Surviving are his children, a

son William Purcell Jr. (Mary) of Nashville, their children Erin Diedrich (Dustin) of Nashville and Sharyn Wilkey (Randy) of Nashville and daughter Cindy Lattray (Terry) of St. Louis, Mo. and their children Jonathan Lattray (Jacqueline) of St. Louis, Mo. and Louis Lattray of St. Louis, Mo. He is also survived by great-grandchildren, William Owen and Evelyn Diedrich, Colt Wilkey, Jonathan Jr. and MacKenzie Lattray; brothers Henry Purcell (Betty) of Oakridge. Tenn., Robert Purcell (Charlene) of Fort Worth, Texas, Harold Wisely of St. Louis, Mo., Roger Rosan of Detroit, Mich., brother-in-law Vernon Little (Carolyn) of Troy, and Robert Little (Janice) of Glen Carbon, along with nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family is honoring his wishes with no visitation or memorial service. If family and friends desire, a memorial can be made to BJC Hospice Services in his name and may be sent in care of William Purcell Jr., 16375 State Route 15, Nashville, IL 62263 who will forward memorials to Hospice.