Rillis "Buddy" Kerley

To join the livestream of Buddy's funeral ceremony, please select the link below. The livestream broadcast will begin at 1:55 P.M. Wednesday, July 8, 2026. The service will be archived for 90 days from the date of service for later viewing. Please note...due to the legalities associated with the performance of copyrighted music in the public domain, the musical portions of the service will or may be muted. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause during your viewing experience. https://together.oneroomstreaming.com/RYLTUG Rillis L. “Buddy” Kerley, age 97 years, a resident of Vienna, Illinois, passed away Friday morning, July 3, 2026, at 11:50 A.M. at the Ray and Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center in Paducah, Kentucky. Buddy, as he was known to family and friends, was born October 12, 1928 near Simpson, Illinois. He was the son of Orlan Kerley and Lassie (Shrum) Kerley. On June 29, 1945, Buddy was united in marriage to Lillian V. Scott in Vienna. Together, Buddy and Lillian shared over 75 years of marriage, prior to her passing on November 19, 2020. Buddy is survived by: 2 daughters – Velma “Shorty” (John) Waters of Vienna, Illinois and Verna Rushing of Marion, Illinois; 5 grandchildren – Chandra (Eric) Prather and Chelli Rushing all of Eldorado, Illinois, Steve (Kelli) Waters, Mike (Branon) Waters and Sara (Ryan) O’Neal all of Vienna, Illinois; 8 great grandchildren – Dr. Christian (Madison) Stanley, John T. (Katrina) Waters, Chaitlyn (Johnny) Foos, Andrew Rillis (Lilie Lem) Waters, Matt (Ayva Rush) O’Neal, Grady Waters, Eli O’Neal, and Griffin Waters; 2 great-great grandsons – John Reece Waters and John-Rillis Stanley; a brother – Roy (Ann) Kerley of Simpson, Illinois; 2 sisters – Letha Breeden and Wilma Murphy both of Vienna, Illinois; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. In addition to his parents and wife, Buddy was preceded in death by a son-in-law – Dan Rushing; 2 infant sisters – Betty Lou Kerley and Millie Florene Kerley; 2 sisters and a brother-in-law – Frances & Bass Kerley and Faye I. Kerley; 2 brothers & sisters-in-law – Otis & Betty Kerley and Donald & Carol Kerley; as well as 2 brothers-in-law – Gary Dale Murphy and Wayne Breeden. Buddy was a lifelong farmer and a former member of the Johnson County Farm Bureau. He enjoyed raising cattle and is remembered for his love of cutting firewood. In his youth, Buddy was an avid rabbit hunter. Buddy was employed by the University of Illinois Agricultural Center near Dixon Springs. He began his working career with the Agricultural Center on March 3, 1958 as a farmer. He later assumed the position of Farm Foreman, prior to his retirement on August 31, 1985. Buddy was a 74 year member of the Masonic Fraternity. He joined Gurney Masonic Lodge # 778 A.F. & A.M. in 1952. Later, he became a member of Eddyville Masonic Lodge # 672 A.F. & A.M., when Gurney Masonic Lodge merged with Eddyville Masonic Lodge. Buddy was a life member of the fraternity. He was also a member of the Baptist faith. Masonic rites will be accorded Wednesday afternoon, July 8, 2026, at 2 P.M. at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Immediately following the Masonic Rites, a funeral service will be conducted. Pastor David Faulkner will officiate. Burial will be in the Rock Springs Cemetery, near Simpson. Visitation will be conducted from 1 P.M. until 2 P.M. Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Rock Springs Cemetery, c/o Roy Kerley, 8335 IL State Route 147, Simpson, Illinois 62985 or to the Heather Harper Treat Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 98, Vienna, Illinois 62995.

Rillis "Buddy" Kerley

October 12, 1928 - July 3, 2026