William C. Alsip

RURAL CREAL SPRINGS-William C. `Bill` Alsip, 72, of rural Creal Springs passed away at 2:10 PM, Tuesday, May 17, 2005 at his home surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, May 21, 2005 at the Blue Funeral Home in Marion with Reverend Edward `Shorty` Alsip, Reverend Tim Lusitana, Reverend Paul Ramsey and Reverend Mike Ebert officiating. Visitation will be held from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Saturday, May 21, 2005 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Glendale Cemetery in Pope County. Military rites will be held at the cemetery by VFW Post 1301 and American Legion Post 147. Memorials may be made to the First Church of God or the American Cancer Society; envelopes are available at the funeral home or may be sent c/o Blue Funeral Home, PO Box 411, Marion, IL 62959. Mr. Alsip was born on July 29, 1932 in Williamson County, Illinois to Claude Ellis and Ida (Miles) Alsip. He married Jane Cobb on August 6, 1955 in Marion, Illinois. Survivors include his wife, Jane Alsip of Creal Springs; son and daughter-in-law, Morgan and Carol Alsip of Marion; son, Tony Alsip of Marion; daughter and son-in-law, Rhonda and Donnie Branson of Creal Springs; son, Lincoln Alsip of Creal Springs; and two granddaughters, Jane Ann Alsip and Courtney Branson. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Edward E. Alsip; and three sisters, Ina Bailey, Zola Johns and Mary Evelyn Ollis. Mr. Alsip was a member of the First Church of God in Marion. He was employed for years in area automobile dealerships as manager of the service and parts departments, later he was employed by and retired from Inland Steel Coal Company. He then enjoyed working part-time at Blankenships. He was a member of the Marion Masonic Lodge 89 AF & AM, the Teamsters Union, and the United Mine Workers of America. He served his country during the Korean Conflict in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1954.