Wade C. Collier

Wade C. Collier, 94, of LaSalle and formerly of Carterville, passed away Thursday, October 4, 2018, at the Illinois Veterans Home in LaSalle.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, October 8, 2018, at Riggin-Pillatsch & Burke Funeral Home in Carterville, with Pastor Bobby Wynn officiating. Burial will be in North Oakwood Cemetery in Carterville with military rites by the Carterville American Legion Post, Herrin American Legion and V.F.W., and Illinois Army National Guard Ritual Team. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., Monday, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois.

Wade was born on December 2, 1923, in Carterville, to Alvin O. and Polly (Deming) Collier. He married Naomi Ruth Stewart on May 10, 1942 in Jackson, Missouri. She preceded him in death on August 2, 2014.

He is survived by his daughter, Debbie (Charles) Vaughn of Huntsville, Alabama; son, Gene (Loann) Collier of Roscoe, Illinois; grandchildren, Kendra (Randy) Greene of Rockton, Illinois, Scott (Arlie) Collier of Carterville, and Mason Vaughn of Huntsville, Alabama; great-grandchildren, Spencer Harris, Payton Harris, Riley Greene, Andrew Collier, Victoria Collier, Steffan Collier, and Alyssa Collier.

Wade was preceded in death by parents; wife; sisters, Esther Pherigo and Ruth Lasley; and brothers, Howard and Norman Collier.  

He honorably served our country in the U.S. Army, serving overseas during WWII. Wade earned a Purple Heart and 3 bronze battle stars for his heroic actions.

Wade was an Industrial Arts teacher at Hoopeston and Freeport for over 18 years.

He was a talented musician who not only played the steel guitar, but also made them for other musicians in Nashville.

Wade enjoyed researching family genealogy, doing leather work, and completing cross word puzzles.  

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