John W. “Bill” McCracken, 77, died Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, at Cedarhurst of Greenville.
Graveside funeral services, with military honors, were held Sunday, Sept. 20, in Mt. Gilead Cemetery with Dr. Rev. Ward Sussenbach officiating. Donnell-Wiegand Funeral Home in Greenville was in charge of arrangements.
Mr. McCracken was born May 20, 1943, in Detroit, MI, to Orin D. and Maime (Spies) McCracken. He married Wanda Wise on Oct. 24, 1964, at the Mt. Gilead Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and she survives.
His family moved to Bond County when he was a child. He attended Reno and Sorento schools, and graduated from Greenville High School in 1961.
Following high school, he worked at McDonnell Douglas. He was drafted into the Army in 1966, and served in the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged in 1968.
He then worked at Granite City Steel, Coates Steel Ball and Suess Farm Supply in Greenville. He and his wife purchased the business and ran McCracken Farm Supply until 1984. He then worked for the Alton Mental Health Hospital as a stationary operating engineer until his retirement. He enjoyed hunting, going to auctions, tinkering around the farm, and spending time with family and friends.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by Tim (Chris) McCracken of Waynesboro, GA, and Mark (Beth) McCracken of Greenville; five grandchildren, Jessica McCracken, Eddie Kern, Taylor McCracken, Shane McCracken and Ava McCracken; and sister-in-law, Karen McCracken of Sorento.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Orin H. McCracken and sister, Delores Sharp.
Memorials may be made to the Bond County Hospice.
Online condolences may be left at www.donnellwiegand.com.
