2025 Journal-Yearbook

Illinois Great Rivers Conference 2025 Journal-Yearbook

world in Scripture and taught clergy and laity throughout The United Methodist Church how to work together more effectively. At age 71, Roy returned to the pulpit and served God in his original calling until age 87. Not only did he serve churches in Illinois, Georgia and Colorado, he also served Steelwood Chapel in Loxley, Alabama, and provided pulpit supply for churches in the Lake Chapala area of Mexico where he and Jackie lived for two years. Roy is survived by his wife, Jackie Bouchillon Trueblood; daughters, Ellen and Margaret; his son, Jim (Dianne), as well as six grandchildren: Josie Trueblood, Chelsea Benson, Taylor (Kim) Trueblood, Tori (Joe) Kuchenbrod, Chase (Elizabeth) Cannon and Courtney (Travis) Absher; ten great-grandchildren: Nolan, Brynlee, Colson and Peyton Trueblood; Avery Grace and Jak Kuchenbrod; William and Oliver Cannon and Cason and Cannon Absher; a sister, Janice (Alex) Vassil; brothers-in-law, Gene (Rena) Bouchillon, Tommy (Sandra) Jones and Sammy Massey; and nine nieces and nephews. Roy was preceded in death by his father, Archie Monroe Trueblood; mother, Mildred Margaret Shinn, mother-in-law, Bettye Farmer, son, Eric Charles Trueblood, and sisters- in-law, Diane Bouchillon Massey and Mary Jane Nichols Bouchillon. A Celebration of Life service was held Nov. 2, 2024, at Christ Wesleyan Church in Daphne, Ala.

Shirlee R. Williams 1925-2024 Shirlee R. Williams, 99, of Peoria, the widow of the Rev. Darrell R. Williams, died Nov. 26, 2024 in Peoria. Born May 29, 1925 in Peoria, Shirlee was the daughter of Bernard and Mildred Van Ausdall Demmin. She married the Rev. Darrell R. Williams Aug. 19, 1945. Rev. Williams died June 19, 1988. With her husband, they served United Methodist churches in the

former Central Illinois Conference: Bryant Circuit, Emden-Hartsburg, Henry-Saratoga, Casey, Shelbyville, Morton, Peoria Madison Avenue, and Chillicothe, from where they retired in 1987. Shirlee graduated from Peoria Manual Training High School in 1943 and Eastern Illinois University in 1969. After high school, she worked in offices at CECO Steel, LG LeTour- neau, Standard Oil, Morton Bank, and most recently at Caterpillar in Mossville and Peoria. She was a member of Peoria: University UMC and worked there for 11 years as a church secretary. She was a Stephen Minister and Stephen Leader at Peoria: University UMC, an adult reading tutor at Common Place and volunteered at Lutheran Hillside Vil- lage. Surviving are one daughter, Sandy L. (Dennis) Reed of Peoria, one son, Terry J. (Karen) Williams of Federal Way, Wash., three granddaughters, Sarah J. Reed of Peoria, McKinley A. Farrell of Burien, Wash., and Cayla M. Williams (Tony) O’Carroll of Dublin, Ireland; and one great grandson, Emerson J. Farrell, Burien, Wash. Her parents, a sister, Dorothy J. McEvoy, and a brother, Donald A. Demmin preceded her in death. A memorial service for Shirlee R. Williams was held Nov. 2, 2024 at Lutheran Hillside Vil- lage’s Water of Life Chapel. Cremation rites were accorded.

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