Bill Levanti named 2018 Old King Coal — Annual festival set for May 10-13

Bill Levanti, of West Frankfort, has been named 2018 Old King Coal and will reign over the Old King Coal Festival, May 10 – 13 in downtown West Frankfort. The 74-year-old Levanti will be officially crowned Old King Coal at the Princess Flame Scholarship Pageant, Saturday, May 12 beginning at 7 p.m. at Paschedag Auditorium at Frankfort Community High School.

Levanti is a 30-year veteran of the coal mining industry having worked at Old Ben 24 and 26 and later at Freeman Coal 4 and 6 where he served as a face boss at both Freeman mines. The last seven years at Freeman 6 Bill worked in the safety department. When the southern Illinois market for coal became dim, he became a guide at the Southern Illinois Coal Museum at the Old Ben 25 site. In this capacity, he gave many the opportunity to see the real world of underground coal mining.

Since 2000, Levanti has served as school and grounds monitor at  Frankfort Community High School.  In a nominating letter submitted by Susan Malkovich of  West Frankfort,  Malkovich stated: “Today Bill plays a valuable role in our high school as a monitor. But maybe more importantly, he shares his experiences of West Frankfort and the great legacy mining has had on our community. He is the link between our present and our past and our students are lucky to have him share the great stories of how West Frankfort became the coal mecca of southern Illinois.” It was stated In another nominating letter submitted by Amy Bates, “Bill can tell you every student’s name that walks through the door and is always willing to help anyone out.”

Bill is a lifelong resident of West Frankfort and served overseas in the United States Army. He is married to Kay Stephen Levanti, who teaches at Central Junior High School and is the father of Bryce, an attorney and a daughter Kelly McCord works for IBEW. He is a proud grandfather of five. Bill has served on various boards and committees in West Frankfort and is currently on the West Frankfort Library Board. He is an active member of St. John’s Catholic Church and a proud Redbird.