Willard “Slo Kid” Thierry 87, of Galesburg, died at 6:40 a.m. Sunday, January 25, 2015 at home.
Willard was born May 23, 1927 in Galesburg, the son of Ollie Sr. and Mattie Sherrill in Galesburg. Willard married Sandra Thomas. He is survived by a son, Kyle Thierry of Galesburg; a daughter, Kimberly Thierry of Galesburg; a step son, Terrance Young of Galesburg; two brothers, Ollie Thierry, Jr. of Las Vegas, NV and Theodore “Pete” Thierry of Galesburg; one sister, Betty T. Howard of Indianapolis, IN; 13 grandchildren, Michael Wilder Jr., Erin Wilson, Kyle Thierry Jr., Tara Wilder, Andrew Thierry, Nathan Thierry, Kristi Wilder, Tiffany Wolfe, Heather McGahey, Jennifer Howell, Brian Davis- Young, Cara Young, Rachel Young; and 6 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Alex Thierry in 2009; a sister, Mary Thierry; and three brothers, George and McKinley Thierry and Forest Boaz.
Willard served in the US Army Air Corp from 1945 to 1946. He worked for Butler Mfg. from 32 years, retiring in 1986. He was a member of Ralph M. Noble American Legion Post #285, the United Steelworkers of America, and was a 32 year blood donor at the American Red Cross. He was always helping his family and friends, and truly loved spending time with his family. He also enjoyed taking care of his grandchildren. His favorite hobbies were working on the crossword puzzles in the newspaper, working in the yard, and pretty much tinkering with anything.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, January 31, 2015 at Watson-Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Rev. Tyson Parks III will officiate. Burial will follow in East Linwood Cemetery, Galesburg. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service Saturday at the funeral home. A fellowship will follow burial at the Thomas Legacy Center at Watson-Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory. Memorials may be made to the American Legion Honor Guard or to the Gordon Behrents Senior Center. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
