William 'Bill' Gene Preston, formerly of Chester

William "Bill" Gene Preston, 79, of Franklin, Illinois, passed away at 4:21 p.m. on Monday, April 4, 2022 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois.

Bill was born on April 13, 1942 in Chester, Illinois to George Andrew and Mildred Lillian (nee Barker) Preston. William married Shirley Jo Jarrett of Cutler, Illinois on July 23, 1963 at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Sparta, Illinois.

Bill was a born-again Christian of the Full Gospel Faith. He was a Vietnam War veteran, serving his country as a jet engine mechanic in the U.S. Air Force. He spent a full year, 1966 to 1967, at Ubon Air Force Base in Thailand.

He was a life member of Kaskaskia VFW Post #3553 in Chester, Illinois. He was employed at Spartan Printing Company, of Sparta, Illinois, as a machinist in the maintenance department for 28 years, from 1968 until its closing in 1996.

Bill is survived by his wife, Shirley Preston of Franklin, Illinois; sons, John Preston and Joseph Preston of Franklin, Illinois and Jason Preston (Wilailuk "Ning") of Parker, Colorado; grandchildren, Ryan Michael Hofmeister of Jacksonville, Illinois, Watcharapilun Kraiwattanasit of Parker, Colorado, and Angelina Yalinda Preston of Parker, Colorado; sister, Sue (David "Butch") Magers of Edinburgh, Illinois; brother, Dennis (Rhonda) Preston, formerly of Chester, Illinois; two very special nieces, Stacy Decker and Barbara Reilley, both of Holiday Shores, Illinois; and many other nieces and nephews, he loved them all.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Raymond (Doug) Preston; one sister, Shirley Mitchel; daughter-in-law Kathy (nee Tingle) Preston; and one infant granddaughter, Rachael Lurleen Preston.

His body has been cremated and a memorial graveside service will be held at a later date at Cutler Cemetery in Cutler, Illinois.