Bill Pritchett

Bill Pritchett, age 85 years, a resident of Goreville, Illinois, passed away Sunday morning, February 18, 2024, at 1:18 A.M. at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion. Bill was born November 2, 1938 at the family home in Goreville. He was the son of Harry and Jennie (Thornton) Pritchett. On April 20, 1957, Bill was united in marriage to Clairus Lee Lirely in Corinth, Mississippi. She preceded him in death on January 2, 2023. Bill is survived by: his children – Rodney (Barbara) Pritchett, Cheryl (Tim) Gage, Wade (Annette) Pritchett, and Brian (Jackie) Pritchett all of Goreville; 8 grandchildren – Stacy (Jeff) Tharp, Josh Pritchett, Aaron Pritchett, Corey Pritchett, Christopher (Krystal) Gage, Jordan (Olivia Womack) Gage, Brandi (Josiah) Miller, and Ashley (Keith) Bennett; 11 great grandchildren – Connor, Emma, Jack, Gracie, Parker, Hayes, Otto, Knox, Dom, Jasper and Campbell Faye; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to his parents and wife, Bill was preceded in death by: his siblings – John Crawford, Clara Long, Maxine Crawford, and Arma Lea Merriman. Bill was a 1957 graduate of Goreville High School. He began his career as a lineman with General Telephone in 1964 and continued to work for the company until his retirement. Bill was very community minded. He served for over 30 years as a volunteer fireman with the Goreville Fire Department. Bill also was a former member of the Goreville Village Board. He was a longtime blood donor at American Red Cross blood drives, having donated gallons of blood through the years. Bill was a member of the Goreville United Methodist Church, where he had served as a former president of the church board of trustees. He also attended Busby Chapel Freewill Baptist Church. Bill is fondly remembered as an avid and staunch supporter of the Goreville Blackcats athletics program. In his youth, Bill was a hunter. Through his life, Bill enjoyed motorcycling and was a Harley-Davidson enthusiast. He also enjoyed gardening. A service honoring the life of Bill Pritchett will be conducted Friday afternoon, February 23, 2024, at 1 P.M. at the Busby Chapel Freewill Baptist Church, 7715 Illinois Route 37, Goreville, Illinois. Pastor Darren Clark will officiate. Burial will be in the Cana Cemetery, north of Goreville. Visitation will be held Friday, February 23, 2024, from 11 A.M. until the service time at 1 P.M. at the church. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, 204 Halfway Road, Marion, Illinois 62959; The Heather Harper Treat Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 98, Vienna, Illinois 62995 or to the Goreville Blackcats Sports Foundation, c/o Goreville High School, 201 South Ferne Clyffe Road, Goreville, Illinois 62939. Please make checks for the sports foundation payable to “Goreville Athletics.”

Bill Pritchett

November 2, 1938 - February 18, 2024