Walter W. Burroughs

Walter W. Burroughs, 99, of Du Quoin, passed away at 11:50 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014 at the home of his daughter in Marion, Ill.

Walter had attended high school in Elkville and grade school at the Burroughs school. After graduating in 1934, he continued farming with his brother and was also employed as a miner at Old Kathleen Mine. Walter entered the United States Army in 1942 and served as a communication specialist with the 583rd radar outfit in the Pacific. After the war, he returned to farming and mining at New Kathleen Mine until 1958. He then worked for the Perry County Housing Authority for 25 years before retiring in 1985. Walter was a member of the First Baptist Church in Du Quoin and the UMW of A.

He was born Nov. 8, 1915 at Dowell, Ill., the son of Walter Darnell and Sophia Wilhelmina (Kiel) Burroughs.

He married Lucretia F. Fleming on Dec. 3, 1945 at Kansas City, Kans. and they were married for 64 years. She preceded him in death on Oct. 19, 2010.

He is survived by two daughters - Carolyn (Ken) Loving of Marion, Ill. and Linda McClanahan of Roswell, Ga., three grandchildren - Cristin (Simon) Conrad of Norfolk, Va., Devor McClanahan and Drew McClanahan, both of Roswell, Ga., one brother - Donald (Delores) Burroughs of Dowell and Florence (Earl) Baskins of Murphysboro.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and two siblings - Carroll Burroughs and Thelma Creekpaum.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with Rev. Joe Wagner officiating.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.

Burial will be in the Sunset Memorial Park at Du Quoin.

Friends may make memorials to Hospice of Southern Illinois, 204 Halfway Road, Marion, IL 62959 or Baptist Children's Home and Family Service, 949 County Road 1300 N, Carmi, IL 62821.

For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.