Coatney

Willis Edward Coatney, 90, of Normal, Ill., died on March 21, 2024. He was born in Gillespie on Dec. 24, 1933 the son of the late James and Elizabeth Coatney. He married his wife of sixty-three years, Thelma Millikin on Dec. 18, 1955 and she preceded him in death.

Will graduated from Staunton High School and Southern Illinois University in 1955. He was a lifetime member of the SIU Alumni Association. Willis also served two years in the Army in Augusta, Ga.

Willis was an active member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Bloomington, and had formerly served on the Board of Trustees. He retired from GrowMark, Inc. in 1996. and he volunteered for many years with Habitat for Humanity and Faith in Action. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed league play with friends for many years. He and Thelma also golfed together and their travel usually involved checking out new courses.

Willis enjoyed gardening, working out at the ARC, playing bridge and visiting his children, grandchildren and his brother and sisters. He especially enjoyed meeting the "fun bunch."

Willis and his wife are survived by their three daughters, Nancy (Rick) Hoffarth Harrisburg, N.C., Sherry (David Niemi) Coatney Madison, Wis., and Ann (Robert Pinkerton) Coatney Boulder, Colo .; three grandchildren, Katie (David) Tasillo, Will (Erin) Hoffarth, and Sheri Hoffarth; and four great-grandchildren, Cooper and Kennedy Tasillo, and Elias and Briggs Hoffarth. He was preceded in death by one brother.

A memorial service to honor his life will be Friday, April 19, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church and Reverend Sara Isbell will officiate. There will be a visitation from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the church. Calvert and Metzler Memorial Home in Bloomington is handling arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Faith in Action or Wesley United Methodist Church. Please view the obituary and share your condolences and memories online at http://www.calvertmemorial.com.