John W Wakeland

A memorial graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2020 in Section B of Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL with Rev. Kevin Ray officiating and military rites by the Shelby County Honor Guard. Arrangements are by Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL. Memorials may be given to First Christian Church of Shelbyville and mailed to Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, 415 N. Broadway, Shelbyville, IL 62565.

Bill was born on June 21, 1927 in Mt. Auburn, IL, the son of Dennis R. and Ruby F. Lofland Wakeland. He was a member of the Shelbyville High School Class of 1946. Bill was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving in WWII. Bill began his work career picking up milk from area dairy farmers. He then worked for the Cheese Factory, FS, Bitzer-Taggart and was a bus driver for Shelbyville schools. Bill moved to California and worked for Smith Construction and retired as the manager of a mobile home park. He was a member of the First Christian Church, VFW Post #4829, Roy Vanderpool American Legion Post #81 and a 62 year member of Jackson Masonic Lodge #53 all in Shelbyville. Everyone who knew Bill would say he always had a smile on his face.

Bill is survived by his daughters, Nancy (Don) Pinkston of Shelbyville, IL and Brenda (Ron) McClain of Findlay, IL; son, John W. “Billy” Wakeland of Shelbyville, IL; seven grandchildren, Terri (Rod) Miller, Dawn (Jim) Gee, Mendi Getz, Brett (Courtney) Wakeland, Marci (Nate) Frederick, Ronald “Bubba” (Maranda) McClain, and Matt (Shelby) McClain; seventeen great grandchildren and seven great great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two children, Jonathon Wakeland and Jon Nelson Wakeland; four brothers, Frank, Paul, Donald “Gene”, and Lloyd Wakeland; and three sisters, Margie Musson, Betty Kerwood, and Mary Leigh.

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