William “Bill” Jerry Neal, of Ewing, IL went to be with the Lord this beautiful Easter weekend. Bill was a loving father, grandfather and described by many as one of the kindest gentleman on this earth.
Bill leaves behind two children, Charles (Barbara) Neal and Brenda Neal, two grandchildren, Amber (Tim) Anderson and Kyle (Kacee) Neal. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years M. Marie (Beaty) Neal, brothers Curtis and Dean Neal, sister Faye Neal, and his parents Rolla and Dollie Neal.
Bill enjoyed everyday to the fullest whether he was visiting with friends, farming, working on his antique tractors, interacting with his Masonic Lodge brothers or with his Church Family, he was always smiling/laughing or pulling a prank. At 95 years old he was still the first person in the restaurant to shoot the straw wrapper across the table if he got the chance.
He was a member of the Mt. Zion Southern Baptist Church during his 28 years with Caterpillar Tractor Company working as a welder and millwright living in Decatur/Mt. Zion, Illinois. After he retired from Caterpillar, Bill and Marie moved back to Ewing and joined Frisco Baptist Church until it’s closing then attended Immanuel Baptist Church in Benton.
Bill’s celebration of life will be a graveside service held at the Neal Cemetery southwest of Logan on Monday, April 2, 2018 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Eddie Paul Davis officiating.
Bill was instrumental in the formation of the Ewing-Northern Fire Protection District, building the first two water tanker trucks and the family requests donations be made to the Ewing-Northern Fire Protection District in lieu of flowers.
The Morton Johnston Funeral Home in Benton is in charge of arrangements.
For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com
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