William A. Roll, 96, of Paris, and formerly of rural Brocton, passed away at 4:15 p.m. Thursday, April 26, 2018, at his residence. He was a lifelong grain and cattle farmer.
A memorial service celebrating his life is 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 1, at First United Methodist Church in Paris. Private interment in Embarrass Cemetery, near Redmon, is at a later date. Visitation is from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, April 30, at Templeton Funeral Home.
Mr. Roll was born Oct. 4, 1921, at Brocton, the son of the late William A. Roll Sr. and the late Ethel Lea Roll. He married Jacquelyn A. Clapp March 27, 1944, at Brocton.
In addition to his wife of 74 years, he is survived by a son, James “J.R.” Roll of Brocton; a sister, Dorothy Pembor of Brocton; three grandchildren, Jaime (Jim) Houlihan of Brocton, Ann Roll (Carl Stanaway) of Fullerton, Calif., and Marcus Roll (Erin Bristow) of Durham, N.C.; and six great-grandchildren, Megan, Jack and Andrew Houlihan, Autumn Roll-Stanaway and Emilia and Frances Bristow Roll.
He was preceded in death by his stepmother, Ethel Z. Roll; a daughter, Cheryl Roll; a daughter-in-law, Lee Roll; and three sisters, Hannah McHenry, Mary Jane Cole and Marjorie Spoor.
Mr. Roll earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture in 1943 from the University of Illinois, where he had participated in Army ROTC and was a member of the Farmhouse Fraternity. Upon graduation, he went on to serve in the U.S. Army in the World War II European Theater.
He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Paris and a former member of Brocton United Methodist Church for many years. He was also a member of American Legion Post #211, the Edgar County Farm Bureau, a former member of the Town & Country Square Dance Club, and a 50-year member of the American Polled Hereford Association. He was especially proud of his long marriage, and he was deeply devoted to his family and his farm.
Memorial donations may be made to First United Methodist Church of Paris or to Carle Hospice.
Online Condolences at www.TempletonFuneralHome.com