Obituary of William Eudith Waddle

William Eudith Waddle of Winthrop Harbor, IL, went home to our Lord on July 8, 2016, at Aurora Hospital in Pleasant Prairie, WI. William was born in Golden, MS, on November 22, 1927. William, also known as Bill or Eudith, married his childhood sweetheart, Francis Etoy Johnson, of Fairview, MS. As a young couple he and his wife moved to Roseburg, Oregon, where he worked on a ranch with his brothers. Bill worked as a cowboy and a logger. These experiences produced some great stories which he enjoyed sharing. After the birth of their son Eddie, they settled in Lake County, IL. Bill attended night school to become a machinist for Johnson Motors and later was promoted to supervision. After retirement from Johnson Motors they lived in Zion, IL, then Fulton, MS, and more recently Winthrop Harbor, IL, to be near family. Bill was a member of the Masons and had been very active in the First Baptist Church of Winthrop Harbor where he had served as treasurer, was on the pastoral committee, and helped to build the church building. He enjoyed bird hunting and fishing with his brother-in-law, Earnest Johnson. Bill and his wife liked to garden, go camping, and travel. Bill was preceded in death by his parents William and Lela; his brothers, Roy Dee, Odie, Milburn, Odell, and Connie; and a sister Willarean. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Francis Etoye Waddle; a son Eddie (Kathy McElmurry) Waddle and a daughter Sherry (Burt) Huyck; his grandchildren Scott (Kaitlin Fahey) Waddle, John (Michelle) Waddle, Thomas Huyck, Lisa Huyck, and Phillip Huyck; and 10 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his brothers Tommy (Patsy) Waddle and Billy Waddle, and sister Betty (Bobby) Hughes. Bill was a very loved husband, father, and truly special grandfather.