Hayward Leroy Talley, 91, of Litchfield died Wednesday, June 10, 2015, at 8:35 a.m. at St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield.
Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 13, at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. Funeral services will be held Sunday, June 14, at 2 p.m. at St. Timothy's United Methodist Church in Litchfield.
Burial will be in Medora Cemetery in Medora.
Mr. Talley was born in Springfield on Nov. 3, 1923, the son of the late Roy and Reta (Hayward) Talley. He married Emma Mae Chandler on Sept. 2, 1950, and she survives.
The Talley family moved to Piasa in 1927, and he graduated from Medora High School. He then attended the University of Illinois for one year before enlisting in the U.S. Army in the Signal Corp, where he served during World War II.
After completing his three and a half year enlistment, Mr. Talley went on to complete his studies at Shurtleff College and the University of Illinois. He began his working career at WOKZ in Alton. Two years later, he founded WSMI Radio Station in Litchfield and on Nov. 2, 1950, WSMI made its inaugural broadcast. He and his wife moved to Litchfield on June 17, 1954.
He was a member of Illinois Broadcasters and The National Association of Broadcasters. In 2002, he received the Vincent T. Wasilewski Illinois Broadcaster of the Year Award. That same year he was named Litchfield's Veiled Non Profit.
Mr. Talley was a 50 year member of the Litchfield Rotary Club, where he served as president from 1989 to 1990, and a 60 year member of the Shipman Masonic Lodge #212. He was also a member of American Legion Post #436 in Litchfield and was an active member of St. Timothy's United Methodist Church in Litchfield.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Brian (Lea Ann) Talley of Hillsboro and Kevin Talley of Litchfield; four grandchildren, Nicholas (Autumn) Talley, Jacqueline (Joshua) Gilson, Chandler Talley and Anna Talley; and two great-grandchildren, Grayson Talley and Emma Talley.
Besides his parents, Mr. Talley was preceded in death by his brother, Parker Talley.
The family suggests memorials to St. Timothy's United Methodist Church or the Montgomery County Cancer Association.
For more information, to light a candle or to sign the online guestbook, please visit www.plummerfuneralservices.com.
