Kenneth C. "Ken" Willoughby, 57, of Woodlawn died 4:45 p.m. July 18, 2005, at St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.

He was in the financial and banking business for almost 35 years. At the time of his death was employed at First National Bank of Mt. Vernon as executive vice president. He was previously employed by Farm Credit of Southeastern Illinois, where he served as president/chief executive officer for more than 20 years. He had also previously been employed as an investment broker at A.G. Edwards in Mt. Vernon.

Mr. Willoughby was born Jan. 6, 1948, in Centralia to Charles and Ferne (Ferguson) Willoughby.

He married Becky (Eubank) Willoughby Jan. 31, 1970, in Woodlawn; she survives.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Friday at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon. The Revs. Everett Lemay and Michael Davis will officiate. Burial will follow at Mt. Vernon Memorial Gardens in Woodlawn. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Hughey Funeral Home.

Mr. Willoughby is survived by his wife, Becky Willoughby of Woodlawn; two daughters, Tisha Ellis and husband Rob of Mt. Vernon and Amanda McClure and husband Quinn of Mt. Vernon; three grandsons, Rhett Willoughby Ellis, Heath Willoughby Ellis and Colin Tyler McClure; his mother-in-law, Lura Eubank of Mt. Vernon; two sisters, Juanita Moore and husband Harold of Springfield and Ethel Lynn Roberson and Charlie of Ashley; a brother-in-law, Larry Simmons and wife Joyce of Dix; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Nelda Lee Simmons; two brothers-in-law, Tyler Eubank and Harold Evans; and his father-in-law, Carwin Eubank.

Mr. Willoughby was raised on a farm near Cravat. He graduated from Woodlawn High School and was a graduate of the University of Illinois. He was a member of Logan Street Baptist Church and was active in the Adult II Sunday School Department. He was a member of the University of Illinois Alumni Association. He was a former member of the University of Illinois Extension Council and former president of the Don Lee Extension Building Association. He had served as trustee of the Woodlawn Fire Protection District. He was a former church treasurer, trustee and Sunday school teacher and was a former 4-H leader, and little league and girls softball coach. Mr. Willoughby was an avid sports fan and loved University of Illinois basketball and football, and St. Louis Cardinals baseball.

For those who wish, memorials may be made to Logan Street Baptist Church or the American Cancer Society 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 for further information.

Source: Register-News
Date: July 21, 2005
Submitted by: Robert W. Loman