Billy G Snell

Born October 14, 1932 in Nokomis to Howard and Viola (Johnson) Snell, he married Joan Carol Reid on October 18, 1953 in Pekin. She survives.

Also surviving are two sons, David Snell of Peoria and Larry (Theresa) Snell of Pekin; one daughter, Jill (Charles, II) Miller of Lebanon, TN; eight grandchildren, Andrew Snell of Pekin, Natalie (Amy) Wheeler of St. Louis, MO, Ryan Snell of Chicago, Charles (Letitia) Miller, III of Smyrna, GA, Amanda (Josh) Nettles of Kannapolis, NC, Sarah (Adam) Scoles and Katie (Chad) Grandell, both of Lebanon, TN, and Jonathan (Angela) Miller of Mt. Juliet, TN; and three great-grandchildren.

His parents and two sisters, Mildred Cooper and Wanda Gschwend, preceded him in death.

He was a United States Navy veteran.

Billy worked at Borden’s Dairy in Pekin for many years until its closing. He began working loading trucks and worked his way up to plant manager. He later managed the Gillette Dairy in Gillette, WY.

He was of the Church of Christ faith. He had been a member of the Pekin Moose Family Center #916 and had served as the President of the Brewery Workers Union in Pekin.

Billy loved watching sports and was a fan of the Cincinnati Reds. In earlier years, he enjoyed bowling and had played in fast pitch softball leagues.

His memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory, 500 North 4th Street in Pekin. The Rev. Gary Ford will officiate. Visitation will be from Noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin, where military rites will be accorded by the United States Navy and the Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimers Association, Central Illinois Chapter, 606 West Glen Avenue, Peoria, IL 61614.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com