William Winegardner

Bill was born in Decatur on June 7, 1912, the son of Samuel Charles and Christina (Bain) Winegardner. He spent his childhood years in Decatur, attending Decatur High School, and went on to become a pattern and instrument maker. He worked for Graham Pattern Shop in both his early and later years, and was also employed by Caterpillar, Marvel Schebler Products Division of Borg Warner, and retired from the University of Illinois Chemistry Department in August, 1977.He was a life member and Past Master of Ionic Masonic Lodge #312 for over 63 years. He was also a member of Ansar Shrine in Springfield.He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Mildred Haffey Winegardner; son, William D. Winegardner, Jr., step-daughter Marilyn Flesher Grubb; sister, Mary Price, and his beloved brother Samuel B. Winegardner.Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Charles F. and Sherry Winegardner of Decatur, Illinois; daughter and son-in-law, Christine and Larry Byrkit of Knoxville, Tennessee, and step-daughter, Eugenia Flesher Patterson of Decatur, Alabama; and his sister-in-law, Lillian Winegardner of Keene, Texas. He also leaves numerous loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. A Masonic funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at Brintlinger & Earl Funeral Home in Decatur, Illinois with burial to follow in Fairlawn Cemetery. "
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