Wesley Woodson

For quite some time now, Wes wanted to go into business. Recently he had been working on achieving that goal. He had attended Richland Community College after graduating from Clinton High School in 2007. Wes also wanted to start a club for young people to get a first or second start at something they wanted to do. To get their interest and keep it, and, keep the club members motivated was another goal he had been working on for about ten years.On Saturday mornings as a coach, and Thursday evenings as part of the American Cue Services Focus Team with his Dad and John Cummings, and Doug and Kyle Reynolds,Wes was passionate about pool. He lived on purpose, with purpose. Then there were all the other times he played pool just for the heck of it. Wes hadnt had the opportunity to scuba dive since 2007. His last diving experience involved going to Bonaire which is an island in the Carribean very near South America. On that trip he was with his Dad and stepmother, Patricia, and their diving group. He earned the PADI navigational deep water certificate as part of that adventure.Earlier, at Cerillion, KY, he had earned the PADI open water diving certificate. He had taken guitar instruction under the tuteledge of Ben Watkins and also studied piano for a time.His appreciation for nature and wildlife began at an early age and continued during his brief number of years. He completed the IL Department of Conservation Firearm Safety Training during the time he lived at Clinton.Born on January 7, 1990 in Decatur, Wes lived in Dalton City until he was 9. He attended Mt. Zion Grade School. During that time, he was a Cub Scout.His sister, Amanda Marie Woodson, preceded him in death. She was killed by a drunk driver in 1994. Also preceding him were his grandmother, Patricia Annie Risley; grandfather, Harry Hugh Woodson; step-grandfather Wayne Baker; aunt, Ruth Hammer; uncle, Steven Bert Woodson; and his uncle Waynes wife, Clarrise Candie DeRenne.Wess friends and family will miss him greatly. His father, Terry Woodson and his wife Patricia, along with his Grandmother Olla Baker and step-sister, Mickey Michelle Whiteman Closs, her children Baylee and Brayden, all of Decatur, his uncle Wayne D. Woodson and friend, Sheila Jane Lund, of Georgetown continue to remember the precious times with him.His mother, Kathy Risley, Uncle Richard and wife, Carmen Risley, of Decatur, Dan and wife, Teddy Risley of Cherokee Village, AR, and Sam and wife, Denise Risley of Foosland, and Grandfather Robert Bob Risley mourn this sudden loss. Jeff Higgins of Chatanooga, TN, stepfather; and step-sister Kenica and husband Brooks Fonner of Champaign; and step-brother Thomas Rae Higgins of Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais are part of his growing up years at Clinton. A large number of great aunts and uncles, cousins and second cousins continue to remember the good times with Wes at reunions and other events where we counted our blessings and didnt dwell on our losses. The service to honor and remember Wes will be Thursday, October 21, at 10:00 a.m. at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, IL. Casual attire. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 20 at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, IL. Burial will be at Mt. Gilead Cemetery, Decatur, IL. Memorials may be made to American Pool Association for youth.Wes was treasure to us for we love him. How would his friends and family know the value of that loveits priceless, to be kept within the hearts and minds of those who he enjoyed time with. "
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