William D. "Bill" McRaven, passed into heaven to be with the Lord at 12:35 a.m. on Aug. 3, 2008. He was 77 years old.

Mr. McRaven was preceded in death by his mother, Vrrginia (Sturgeon) McRaven; father, Desmond D. McRaven; son, William Bradley McRaven; sister, Vrrginia Rodriquez Arte; and brother; Merle McRaven.

He is survived by his wife, Carol McRaven; daughters, Michelle Nix and husband Ricky, Suzanne Carlisle and husband Ben, and Lisa Withers and husband Tim. He was blessed with 10 grandchildren, Jennifer, Steven and Elizabeth Nix, Nicole and Jacob Carlisle, Rea, Ian, Danielle, Matt and Nate Withers. He also had seven great-grandchildren who called him GGP, Anthony, Trevor, Alaina, Emma, Chanse, Kyla and Gracie.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon. Mr. Jacob Carlisle will officate. Interment will follow at Mt. Vernon Memorial Gardens in Woodlawn. Full military service will be performed by Mt. Vernon American Legion Post 141. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Mr. McRaven was a graduate of Bluford High School and McKendree College and received his masters degree from the University of Illinois. He was a former school teacher and principal.

He served in the United States Army from Sept. 25, 1951 till Aug. 29, 1953 and received an Honorable Discharge.

For those who wish, memorials may be given to the Hospice of the Good Samaritan and will be accepted at the funeral home or may be mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Hughey Funeral Home where you may call 242-3348 or visit www.hugheyfuneralhome1969.com for further information and to send condolences.

Source: Mount Vernon Register News
Date: Wednesday, August 4, 2008
Submitted by: Cindy Ford