Billy Dea Whewell

Billy Dea Whewell, 90, of Bowen, passed away Thursday, February 16, 2023, at Memorial Hospital in Carthage.

Billy was born March 19, 1932, the son of William and Mabel (Blythe) Whewell in Stillwell, Illinois.  He graduated from Bowen High School in 1950 and had the distinction of spending each year at a different high school: Elvaston, Hamilton, Carthage,  and finally Bowen.  On June 6, 1952, he was united in marriage to Grace Bonita Laffey in Sacred Heart in Warsaw, Illinois. In 1950 he enlisted in the United States Naval Reserves. He was called to active duty in November of 1953, serving on the USS Hawkins. Billy received his Honorable Discharge in 1957.  Billy was a life-long farmer and was also well known for his custom bulldozing business and carpentry skills.  Billy was very proud of his 1953 Farmall Super H tractor that was purchased by his father and has since been driven by five generations of Whewells. In his later years, when he was no longer able to drive his tractor,  Billy enjoyed riding his lawnmower and waving at or visiting with friends and neighbors .  Billy was a member of the American Legion and had served on the Bowen and Southeastern School Boards and was a St. Albans Township Supervisor.

Billy was a wonderful husband, father,  grandfather,  and great grandfather.  He raised his children to be respectful, hardworking,  caring,  and honest always leading by example. He felt that one of his greatest accomplishments was helping all seven of his children earn college degrees.   

Billy is survived by his wife of 70 years, Grace; children, Bonita (Jerry) Slovinski of Naperville, Illinois, Calvin (Carol) Whewell of Bryan, Ohio, Annette May of Bowen, Yvonne (Patrick) Cloonan of Plainfield, Illinois, Lydia Whewell of Plainfield, Illinois, Keela Whewell of Bowen, Illinois and Garth (Christy) Whewell of Lawrenceville, Illinois; grandchildren, Kelsey (Derek) Kulp, Natalie (Brian) Brody, Nathan (Aubrey) Whewell, Colleen (Eric) Rerucha, Andrew (Jenifer) Whewell, Corinne (Michael) Mathis, Neil Cloonan, Ryan (Sylwia) Cloonan, Wyatt (Emma) Whewell and Elsie (Orrin) Svika; and fourteen great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son-in-law, Chris May; two brothers, Robert and Dale; and two sisters, Vera and Doris.

Funeral services will be held at Printy Funeral Home in Carthage on Sunday, February 19, 2023, at 5:00 P.M.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Carthage at a later date.  Visitation will be held from 2:00 until time of services at 5:00 at the funeral home in Carthage.  Memorials may be directed to Southeastern High School (Veteran’s Day Ceremony), Chili and Calvary Cemeteries, or the Wesley Village (Home Health Care).  Printy Funeral Home of Carthage is in charge of arrangements.

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