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Obituary for Bill Farthing
Billy “Bill” Wayne Farthing, 79, of Oakland was called to heaven on Saturday, January 9th, 2021, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital. Bill was born August 15th, 1941, at his family home in Hindsboro to Garold Wayne and Lois Marie (Gaede) Farthing. He married his sweetheart, Marilyn Kay Earley, on July 1st, 1959. They enjoyed over 61 years of wedded bliss together. He is survived by his beloved wife, Marilyn; their three children, De-Ann Farthing of Oakland, Darla (Greg) Lanchester of Downs, IL, and Dianna (Neal) Borries of Dieterich, IL; 6 grandchildren, Brittany Clapp of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Justine (David) Oyler of Bailey, CO, Brent (Amy Morris) Clapp of Charleston, IL, Danielle (Cory) Goeckner, Dieterich, IL, Colt (Kortney Doty) Borries, Clay City, IL and Austin Borries; 7 great-grandchildren Gaddison, Weston, and Alice Goeckner, Aidan Borries, Davy and Callie Oyler, Garion Morris and Meara Hocutt; his sisters Janet Bruce of Oakland, Joan Schaffner of Champaign, IL, and Barbara (Bob) Gilhaus of Normal, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Gary Farthing. Bill attended Hindsboro Grade School and Oakland High School, where he played football and was a standout basketball player, earning many honors, specifically being selected to the Chicago American All-Southern Illinois squad for the 1958-59 season. From a very young age, Bill worked on the family farm, eventually running it on his own until he retired several years ago. He held several other jobs over his lifetime including print operator at the Oakland Ledger Messenger, school bus driver, 15 years delivering meals for Peace Meal, and worked many years setting up equipment at Birkey’s, or back then known as Oakland Farm Supply. He also spent countless hours mowing yards for those that couldn’t, and removing snow from driveways and businesses. Bill was a devout Christian and devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather as well as a member of the Oakland Lions Club. He was an exemplary Christian role model for all who was around him. He was present at every school event and sporting event in which his grandkids and great-grandkids participated with his video camera to record all the action. Bill will be remembered for his love of his family, his daily weather reports, and his ability to lose at cards at the Senior Citizen Center. He was an avid Bears fan, and most importantly the biggest fan of whatever team his grand and great-grandkids were playing on. He will be deeply missed by his family, his friends, and his church. A private visitation for the family was held on Monday, January 11th at Krabel Funeral Home in Oakland. The family plans to hold a public celebration of Bill’s life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Oakland Christian Church, the Oakland Lion’s Club or the Oakland Senior Center. Online condolences may be left at www.krabelfuneralhome.com.
