Bill L. Aldridge

Bill Aldridge, age 90 of Troy, formerly of Wolf Lake, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, September 24, 2017. He was born May 22, 1927 in Aldridge, IL, the son of Thomas L. Sr. and Dona (Lingle) Aldridge. He married Barbara Forrest on January 31, 1953 in Corinth, MS. She preceded him in death on November 22, 2016. Bill is survived by his daughter and son in law, LaDonna and Donnie Chandler of Collinsville; granddaughter, Whitney (Aaron) Baker of Troy; great-granddaughter, Nora Lee Baker; numerous nieces and nephews; extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Barbara Aldridge; brother, Thomas L. "Tommy" Jr.; and sister, Joyce Ann Johnson. Bill was a member of the Galilee Baptist Church in Wolf Lake. He served his country in the United States Army during WWII. He graduated SIUC where he was a member of the Saluki Basketball team and a Golden Glove Boxer. During Bill's years of employment he worked on the IC railroad, Trojan Powder in Wolf Lake and served as a rural mail carrier for the Wolf Lake, Ware, and Grand Tower areas for many years until his retirement He also worked diligently as a farmer during all of those years. He was an avid stamp, and coin collector, bass fisherman, devoted husband and grandpa. Bill was also a member of the Jonesboro Masonic Lodge #111 for many years. Graveside services will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 30, 2017 in the Jonesboro Cemetery with Donnie Chandler officiating. Interment will be in the Jonesboro Cemetery. Graveside military rites will be conducted by the Carroll P. Foster Post #3455 of the V.F.W. in Anna and the Illinois Army National Guard Military Honors Team of Marion. Friends are asked to go directly to the cemetery. Memorial contributions are preferred to be made to Family Hospice in Belleville. Envelopes will be available in the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home and at the Cemetery.