Billy A. Monroe, 75 of Abingdon, passed away at 9:52 a.m. Saturday, December 7, 2019, at the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria. He was born November 2, 1944, in White Hall, Illinois, the son of Benny A. and Gladys (Coons) Monroe. He married Judy A. Draper on August 17, 1965, in Abingdon.
Billy is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Judy; two sons, James (and Melissa) Monroe of Avon and Michael (and Trish Shepler) of Galesburg; seven grandchildren, Tyler (and Melissa) Monroe of Oakville, Iowa, Kory Monroe and Chad Monroe both of Avon, Billy (and Brooke Brown) Monroe of Canton, Kirk (and Rena Newland) Monroe of Galesburg, Dakota Shepler and Zachary Shepler both of Macomb; and five great-grandchildren and two on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Etna Cowan and Donna Seamark. Billy attended Galesburg High School. He worked at Koppers near Galesburg for 40 years retiring in November of 2012. He attended the former Congregational Church in Abingdon and enjoyed working the church dinners. He was a member of the Abingdon Masonic Lodge #185 and was a past member of the Mohammed Shrine Clowns, aka “Pokey”. He was a member of the NRA and the Galesburg Archery Club. He enjoyed deer hunting and mushroom hunting.
Cremation will be accorded. To celebrate his life, the family will receive relatives and friends at one of Billy’s favorite places, PZ’s, 2320 Grand Ave. in Galesburg from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, December 15, 2019. Masonic Rites will be held at 4 p.m. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Abingdon Chapel is assisting his family with arrangements. Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
