The Reverend George W. Waggoner – A Faithful Servant.
FACTS
George devoted his life to education and the ministry. After graduating from Benton High School, he was one of the first four graduates of Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville, TN. He went on to graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Columbia Bible College ) Columbia International University in Columbia, SC and a bachelor’s in elementary education from McKendree College in Lebanon, IL. He earned his master’s in Educational Administration from University of Illinois and his Educational Specialist in Educational Administration and approval as a Director of Special Education from Southern Illinois Univeristy – Carbondale.
George spent 36 years as an educator, coach and school superintendent/principal at Shiloh, Summersville Grade School, Woodlawn Grade School and Old Union School in Jefferson County and at Okawville Grade School in Washington County. For the last 15 years of his career, George was Director of Special Education at Mt. Vernon High School at Mt. Vernon High School and mentored some of the first special education student teachers in the state. He also taught at Rend Lake College. After retirement, George became a real estate agent for United Farm Real Estate Agency and was developer of the Hickory Hill subdivision near I-64 in Woodlawn, IL.
George served as a pastor of Free Will Baptist churches in Jefferson, Wayne and Franklin counties for over 50 years, including Webb’s Prairie, Bakerville, Salem, Pleasant View, Waltonville and Mt. Vernon First Free Will Baptist churches. He served as clerk of the National Association of Free Will Baptists and was strict moderator, parliamentarium, clerk, mission director, author of bylaws, and he initiated the state newsletter for the state chapter for many years. In 2008 the Illinois State Association of Free Will Baptists honored him for his life’s work with an award as Founder and Architect of Illinois Free Will Baptists.
IN MEMORIAM
The Reverend George W. Waggoner, 87, went to be with the Lord at 8:15 A.M. on Monday, October 12, 2009 at Countryside Manor in Mt. Vernon.
George was born on February 15, 1922 in rural Macedonia, Illinois, the son of Earl and Gussie (Campbell) Waggoner. George married his life’s companion, Aileen Bain, on June 1, 1944 in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this year.
Survivors include his wife, Aileen Waggnoner; two sons, Mark Waggoner, of Mt. Vernon and Van Waggoner and wife Shirley of Dubuque, Iowa; two daughters, Dr. Jan Waggoner, Carbondale, Illinois and Linda McMahan and husband Doug of Mt. Vernon; six grandchildren, Amanda and husband Jessie Gillen, Dubuque, IA, Ashley A. Snow and husband Charlie, Bluford, Illinois, Adam Waggoner, Cedar Rapids, IA, Rachael Waggoner, Ankeny, IA, Melissa McMahan, Carbondale, IL and Stephanie Waggoner, Carbondale, IL; one great grandchild, Aaliyah Waggoner, Dubuque, IA; two sisters, Grace Brose, St. Louis, MO and Ruth Ann Wright and husband Don, Evansville, IN. Several Nieces and Nephews also survive.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister: Marcella Payne Terhune and her husband: Raymond Payne, brother: Charles Waggoner, sister-in-law, Betty Waggoner and brother-in-law: Al Brose.
ARRANGEMENTS:
FUNERAL SERVICES: will be held Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 10:30 A.M. at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Rev. David Shores will officiate.
VISITATION: will be held from 5 to 8:00 P.M. on Friday, October 16, 2009 at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.
INTERMENT: Bethel Cemetery in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. For those who wish, memorials may be given to First Free Will Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, Illinois or to Alzheimer’s Association and will be accepted at the funeral home or may be mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, Illinois 62864.
