Roger Dale Willmon

Roger Dale Willmon, 68, of Mapleton, passed away at home surrounded by his family Tuesday, November 1, 2022. He was born in Memphis, TN, to Paul and Loella (Glover) Willmon on October 4, 1954. He married the love of his life, Janice Downing-Light at LaMarsh Baptist Church on July 13, 1991. Roger was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters: Patricia, Sherry, and Robbin, and two brothers: infant Danny Jo and Gary. He is survived by his wife Janice; two sons: Christopher Dale Willmon of Glasford, IL and David (Kelsey) Light of Tomball, TX; one daughter, Bobbie Jo (Dave) Buchanan of Chillicothe, IL; six grandchildren: Sara, Kyline, Connor, Isabelle, Tenley, and Sadie; one brother, Nate (Mary) Willmon of North Pekin, IL; and Bob (Darlene) Bishop of Bartonville, IL, who was like a brother to Roger. Hes also survived by three aunts, many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Roger attended elementary school in Mapleton, IL and high school at North Sand Mountain, Bryant, AL. He participated and excelled in basketball, baseball, football and track. He worked as a laborer at Caterpillar, retiring after 30 years in 2008. During Cat layoff (82-88) he worked in Alabama alongside his father in their family glass business. He had a wonderfully dry sense of humor and loved to debate (some say argue) almost any subject. He was competitive in every way possible and in every game he played. He enjoyed many games, including chess, pool, and rummy. Roger loved reminiscing and storytelling of his glory days of basketball, baseball, track and of his youth with his family. His hobbies were fishing, deer hunting, drinking beer, cooking/grilling soul food, listening/dancing/singing to oldies, R&B and old country music. His greatest and most loved treasures were his children and his grandchildren, teaching them life skills along the way. Roger most recently had expressed that he felt that he lived many lives within his one life. He will be dearly missed. Services will be held at Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory, 2131 Velde Dr., Pekin, Visitation Sunday November 6, 2022; 2-4 pm. Funeral Monday, November 7, 2022 10:00 AM, Pastor Gary Webb officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Ridge Cemetery in Mapleton, IL. Memorials may be made to Illinois Cancer Care Foundation, 8940 N. Wood Sage Road, Peoria, IL 61615. All funds will go to the Pekin clinic for all of the excellent care Roger received over his 7 years of treatments. Funeral Service Monday, November 7, 2022 10:00 AM Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory 2131 Velde Dr. Pekin,Illinois 61554 Visitation Sunday, November 6, 2022 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory 2131 Velde Dr. Pekin,Illinois 61554