Charles William "Bill" Griffith

Charles William (Bill) Griffith 76 of Hidalgo, Illinois passed away at 3:12pm on Saturday November 11, 2017 at his home. 

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at the Barkley Funeral Chapel in Greenup, Illinois conducted by Pastor David Heath.  Burial will follow at the Aten Cemetery in Hidalgo, Illinois.  Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m on Friday evening at the funeral chapel. 

Charles was born on September 19, 1941 in Hidalgo, Illinois, the son of George Thomas and Edith Lorene (Vanatta) Griffith.  He married Diana Lynn Eggers on July 30, 1967 at the Toledo Christian Church, Toledo Illinois.  He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Diana of Hidalgo, Illinois; daughter Amy Lynn Butler of Hidalgo, Illinois; son Thomas William (Melissa) Griffith of Metropolis, Illinois; brother Donald Ray (Norma) Griffith of Hidalgo, Illinois; and five grandchildren, Ashley, Keith, and Trygve Butler, Emily and Jack Griffith. He was preceded in death by his parents George and Edith.

As a young man, Bill was a member of the Boy Scouts and attended church at the Hidalgo Independent Christian Church.  He was a 1959 graduate of Newton Community High School.  Bill joined the U.S. Army in December 1964 and stationed at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas through December 1966 and subsequently served in the Army Reserves through December 1970, when he was honorably discharged.  During his time in the U.S. Army, he received the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Expert Rifleman.  When returning from the Army, he resumed working at Calumet Steel plant in Chicago Heights, Illinois.

After marrying Diana in 1967, they resided in Harvey, Illinois until their daughter Amy was about one year old.  Bill and Diana then moved back to Hidalgo and became a Warehouse Manager for Ettlebrick Shoe Company in Robinson, Illinois.  In 1977, the family moved to their current home in rural Hidalgo.  When the shoe company closed, Bill joined his dad, uncle and brother to farm full time.  He continued his passion for farming and raising cattle for many years until being slowed down by Pulmonary Fibrosis when he had to reluctantly retire from farming in the fall of 2016. 

He loved and enjoyed woodworking and time with family, especially his grandchildren.  He was a longtime proud member of the Crooked Creek Volunteer Fire Department.  He also looked forward each year to helping local neighbors making maple syrup.

Bill will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in his honor may be made to Lincolnland Hospice, Prairie Pavilion 2, 1004 Health Center Dr, Suite 202, Mattoon, Illinois 61938, or the Crooked Creek Volunteer Fire Department, 124 E Harrison St. Hidalgo, Illinois 62432. Online condolences can be expressed at www.barkleyfuneralchapels.com  

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