William J. Bill Drone

William Joseph Drone was born March 31, 1928 at his parents' home in the Ridgway Community. He was the first child born into the Christian family of Cecil and Zerita Pfister-Drone. Bill grew up with brothers

""Bud"", Dennis ""Denny"" and sisters Betty and Teresa. Bill died peacefully on Thursday afternoon

at 4:37 pm at the Evergreen Rehabilitation Center with family near in Effingham, Illinois

Bill was baptized and confirmed his faith at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church where he was a life-long member and also with the Knights of Columbus. Bill received his education from St. Joseph's Catholic School and Ridgway High School. He grew up on a farm ,sharing those duties, especially during the depression and the flood of 1937. He was employed by Holderby Ford, Joe Coad Dealership, and later with the Illinois Department of Public Aid, retiring in 1993.

Bill married Dorothy I. Rash on January 12, 1948 in the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Old Shawneetown, Illinois. He was most proud of his family and that he shared with his wife, Dorothy the duties of raising and providing for them.

He was very active in the community, receiving the Ridgway ""Outstanding Citizen"" award in 1973. His ever active interest in athletics led him to coaching basketball, baseball and girls Khoury league softball both at St. Joseph's Catholic and the community. In his later years Bill enjoyed golfing, (giving great tips and never wanting to lose a ball). He began gardening and helped Dorothy make salsa, can tomatoes and freeze corn. He enjoyed picking out pecans and making plastic Christmas balls to give away. He looked forward to playing 500, Bridge and Wednesday night poker.

He always supported his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren whenever possible, in all their events in life. Papa pitched a waffle ball to grandkids for hours in the backyard. Papa, the ""Tickle Monster"" gave great backrubs to the grandkids. We have wonderful memories of Christmases, Pop Corn Days and the Kiddy Parades in Ridgway at Papa and Grams.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to the St. Kateri Catholic

Church building fund, Post Office Box #190, Ridgway, Illinois 62979 and/or the Donor's Choice.

He is survived by His:

Wife: Dorothy I. Drone of Villas of Holly Brook, Effingham, Illinois

Son: Jeffrey Joseph Drone of Altamont, Illinois

his daughter : Misti (husband, Jeffrey) Jackson

and their son Lucas

his sons: Cody and Shawn Drone

his step sons: Nathan (wife, Annie) Klitzing

and their daughters Adelynn and Sophia

Nicholas ""Nick"" Klitzing

his step daughter: Cassidy (fiancAC., Zachary Lowry)Klitzing

2-Daughters:

Patricia Louise (husband, David) Emerson of Fishers, Indiana

their son: William ""Bill"" (wife Tara)Harris

and their children: Ethin, Natalie and Mia

their daughters: Jessica (husband, Oliver) Richardson

and son Hugo

Andrea (husband, Michael) Webster

and their children: Laine, Adison, Elle, Michael and Cameron her step daughter Karla (husband, Trevor) Emerson-Scott

and their children Courtney, Zachary, Mallory, Kaylee, Paige and Zachary

Debra Ann (husband, Lynn) Kull of Altamont, Illinois

their daughter: Audrey Ann (partner, Lucas Lilly) Kull

their son: Trenton William (partner, Amber Schulze) Kull

grandsons: Noah and Desmond Klimpel

Brother: Dennis ""Denny"" (wife, Delores) Drone of Tallua, Illinois

2-Sisters: Betty Lou Hale of Raleigh, Illinois

Teresa Catherine Austin of Paducah, Kentucky

Numerous Nieces and Nephews

He was preceded in death by his:

Parents: Cecil William Drone

Zerita Elizabeth Drone

Grandson: Jordan Joseph Kull

Brothers: Marion ""Bud"" Drone

Visitation for family and friends will be conducted from 4:00 until 8:00 pm on Sunday September 21, 2014 at the Cox & Son Funeral Home in Ridgway, Illinois.

Funeral Mass for Bill will be Monday Morning at 10:00 AM in the St. Mary's Chapel of the St. Kateri Catholic Church with Fr. Steven Beatty, Celebrant, in Shawneetown, Illinois

Burial will follow Mass at the St. Joseph Cemetery in Ridgway.

You may leave a note of comfort to the family at www.coxandson.com

Visitation - Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Cox & Son Funeral Home in Ridgway

Funeral Mass - Monday, Sept. 22, 2014 10:00 AM
St. Mary Chapel of St. Kateri Church in Shawneetown

Interment - St. Joseph Cemetery - Ridgway.