William Livingston
William Stoddard Livingston, 88, Chatsworth, died at 1:14 p.m. April 12 at OSF St. James-John Albrecht Medical Center, Pontiac.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday at the United Methodist Church, Chatsworth with Wayne Kurth officiating. Burial will be in Chatsworth Cemetery with full military rites accorded by the Chatsworth American Legion.
Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury and 2:00 to 2:45 p.m. Saturday at the church. The family suggest memorials be given to the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation or the American Heart Association.
Mr. Livingston was born July 31, 1927 in Normal, the son of Frank Leland and Martha Wilcox Stoddard Livingston. He married Nellie May Weaver Curtis on May 26, 1954 in Chatsworth. She preceded him in death on May 16, 1997.
Survivors include his children, Kathryn Ann (Bill) Bliss, Wentzville, Mo.; Robert Dale Livingston, Chatsworth; Thomas William Livingston, Collierville, Tenn.; Leland Mark (Nancee) Livingston, Chatsworth; ten grandchildren, twenty seven great grandchildren, one sister, Suzanne (Roger) Coventry, Chatsworth; one sister-in-law, Jane Livingston, Bloomington.
He is preceded in death by one granddaughter, Megan Propes and one brother, Frank Leland Livingston Jr.
Mr. Livingston was a Chatsworth Twp. High School graduate and a 1949 graduate of the University of Illinois, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture. He served in the United States Army from Nov. 15, 1950 to Nov. 6, 1956. After his service to our country he engaged in many agricultural ventures. His entrepreneurial spirit guided him towards land stewardship and conservation. Over many years he acquired agricultural holdings that created a living legacy for his children. The family airstrip also known as Livingston Air Service was also part of William’s legacy. Family members all shared in that experience. William enjoyed flying airplanes and had a fondness for his Cessna 180. With his family, Mr. Livingston owned and operated Livingston Grain and Lumber Company, Chatsworth for over 50 years.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church, Chatsworth and served on the Grain and Feed Association of Illinois board of directors (1988-1994). He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather who enjoyed traveling with his wife, Nellie and attending family gatherings.
“Brutus, don’t worry we will walk you”.
An online guest registry is available at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.
