William Savory

William Savory, 94, passed away on Saturday, January 2, 2016, at Bickford House Assisted Living in Peoria, Illinois.

He was born May 15, 1921, in West Virginia, to George and Maria Savory. He married Cora June Carson of Rossville on January 19, 1946.  They met at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio where they both worked.  

He served proudly in the Army Air Corp during World War II as a B- 24 Liberator flight engineer and top turret gunner flying over 30 missions over Germany out of England.  In September 2011, he participated in the Honor Flight Program to Washington, D. C. honoring the service to his country.

In 1949, he and June moved with their first daughter from Long Island, New York, to Rossville, Indiana, to farm June's family farm.  He resided in Rossville until 2010 when he moved to Peoria, IL, to assisted living near his daughter and family.

While living in Rossville, Bill was a school bus driver for 30 years, an assistant mail carrier, a sign painter, and general handyman around town.  Outside of work, he was a member of the Rossville American Legion, Lions Club, and active member of the Rossville Presbyterian Church where he and June enjoyed singing together in the choir.  He was also an avid golfer, bowler, fisherman, mushroom hunter, and woodworker.  

In addition, he loved growing things and sharing his flowers and tomatoes with friends and family and could always be found selling Lion's Club ice cream at Summer's End Festival. Young Rossville folks would seek him out at Summers End festival to introduce their kids to their old bus driver.

Bill was preceded in death by June, his wife of 59 years, two brothers, and two sisters.

Surviving are two daughters, Lynn Barnhart (husband Jim) of Tullahoma, TN, and Kathy Gilpin of Brimfield, IL; five grandchildren, Gregg Barnhart, Mark Barnhart, Scott Barnhart, John Kantz, and Julie (Kantz) Schmidt; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 7, 2016, at Genda Funeral Home Rossville Chapel from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.  Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 8, 2016, at Rossville Presbyterian Church with Pastor Ruby Kleymann.  Burial will follow at Rossville Cemetery.  Memorials in Bill’s name may be made to Honor Flight Network or Rossville Presbyterian Church.  Online condolences may be directed to www.gendafuneralhome.com.