John W. "Bill" Gilroy

John W. 'Bill' Gilroy Sr., 82, of Pekin died at 2:46 AM Saturday, February 26, 2011 at his home. Bill was born on July 25, 1928 in Brimfield, IL to Charles and Wilda (Kelley) Gilroy. He married Josephine Roberts in 1946 in Peoria, IL. She died on August 15, 1992. He then married Velma J. Ragain on January 28, 1994 in Pekin, IL. She died on February 16, 2010. Also preceding in death are one son, Larry Gilroy, three daughters, Cindy and Doris Gilroy and Patricia Wright, one brother Don Gilroy and one half brother Elwood Kelley. Surviving are: two sons, John (Andrea) Gilroy Jr. and Russell Gilroy both of Pekin; two daughters, Linda West and Peggy (Kevin) McCool both of Pekin; one step son, Gerald (Barbara) Ragain of Pekin; three step daughters, Janice (Richard) Wurster of Corpus Christie, TX, Debra (Rick) Dissman of Pekin and Donna (John) Gregory of Pekin; thirteen grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren, nine step grandchildren and seven step great grandchildren; one sister, Joyce (Dennis) Hughes of Crain, IN; half sister, Tracie McCartney of Rockfalls, IL; half brother Norman (Michele) Gilroy of Arizona. Bill was a truck driver for Dohrn Trucking and Fort Transfer for many years. He retired in 1990. He graduated from Brimfield High School in 1946. He enjoyed going to auctions and Pekin City Council meetings. He was an avid NASCAR fan. Bill was a family man an attend all of his grandchildren's actives that he could.