William H. Starnes, Jr. Obituary (1933 - 2016)

William H. Starnes, Jr., 82, Durand, Illinois died at 5:50 p.m., Tuesday, January 5, 2016 in Rockford Memorial Hospital after a sudden illness. Born October 17, 1933 in Black Rock, Arkansas, the son of Mr. and Mrs. William H. and Mary Lee (Gardner) Starnes, Sr. Graduated from Black Rock High School. Married the former Bonnie Jo Travis in Imboden, Arkansas on August 12, 1956. He was employed as tool maker by Elco Industries, retiring in 1996. He was a member of Durand United Methodist Church. He and Bonnie were known as Grandpa and Grandma Bulldog and were given life-time passes for activities at Durand High School. He enjoyed camping, traveling, hunting, fishing and swimming. Survivors include son William (Denise) Starnes, III, Davis, Illinois; daughter Frances (Daryl) Land, Davis, Illinois; son DeWayne (Serina) Starnes, Durand, Illinois; grandchildren William (Krystal) Starnes, IV, Krista Starnes, Richard (Tessa) Land, Christina (Aaron) Zimmerman, Joseph (Crystle) Land, Cortney Starnes, Zachary Starnes, Nevada Starnes, Jacob Starnes; great grandchildren Alexa Harper, Jocelynn Norman, Mary Jane Norman, Aiden Land and Mackenzie Land; sisters Derotha Bates and Yvonne Saeger and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and brothers JB Smith and Johnny Starnes. Funeral ceremonies will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 9, 2016 in Durand United Methodist Church, 102 East Main Street, Durand, Illinois with Pastor Brian Channel officiating. Burial will be in Durand Township Cemetery. Visitation will be held at McCorkle Funeral Home-Durand Chapel, 101 Main Street, Durand, Illinois from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m, Friday, January 8.