William 'Bill' Whitworth, 78

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William "Bill" Joseph Whitworth, 78, of Farmersville, died Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in Springfield.

Visitation will be held Friday, Oct. 11, from 4 to 7 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Farmersville. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 7 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church with Father Allen officiating.  Hough Funeral Home in Farmersville is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Whitworth was born April 4, 1941, in Hillsboro, to Evelyn Marie Doerr and Louis Lamar Whitworth. He married Kathleen "Kathy" Rose Jordan in 1967, at St. Isidore Chapel in Farmersville, and she survives.

He grew up in Butler, where he attended Butler Grade School until the eighth grade. He graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1959. He was honorably discharged after two years of service in the U.S. Army. 

In 1966, he graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, and he was a member of the SIU Alumni Association. Most of his career was spent in the fertilizer industry. He started working for Potash Corp. as a sales representative in 1977, and he retired in 2005. He loved his fertilizer friends and remained very close with many of his former customers and coworkers after his retirement.

He was actively involved in the promotion and conservation of hunting and fishing. He was a longtime member of the National Rifle Association and Pheasants Forever. He and his wife owned agricultural and recreational land in Illinois and Missouri. He was devoted to farming and enjoying their land.

It is an understatement to note that he enjoyed life to the fullest. Every friend was the best person he knew, every trip was the most fun he ever had and every meal was the most delicious one he had ever eaten.

Few fishing or hunting opportunities were passed up, and he grabbed any chance he could to cook for family or friends, no matter the number. When he wasn't hunting, fishing or cooking, he could be found tending to his Conservation Reserve Program land in Butler, hunting and socializing with friends at the farm in Calhoun County, or simply sitting up on his hill enjoying the view in St. Elizabeth, MO.

Most of all, he was very proud of his children and grandchildren. He was well-loved by his friends and family. He will be missed, but he left everyone with plenty of memories.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, William (Melissa) Whitworth II of Arkdale, WI, Kristin (Jonathan Green) Whitworth of Columbia, MO, and Paul (Myra) Whitworth of Wadsworth; ten grandchildren, Devin, Erin, Jordan, Kathleen, Evelyn, Anna, Marilyn, Sarah, Brian and Emmett; and nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Robert "Bob" and sister-in-law, Denise Whitworth.

Memorials may be made to the Montgomery County Cancer Association or Montgomery County Pheasants.

Online condolences may be left www.houghfuneralhome.com.