William W. Arney

William W. Arney, 87, Galesburg, IL, originally of Casey and Marshall, IL, died August 5, 2013, in Galesburg.  He was born January 13, 1926, in rural Clark County to Paul and Lillian (Dillman) Arney. He graduated from Casey (IL) High School and Indiana State University.           Bill was preceded in death by wife Patricia Ann (Gorby) Arney, parents, and siblings Rosemary McCandlish, Robert Arney and Donald Arney.  He is survived by two sons and two daughters and their spouses: Scott (and Karen) Arney of Marshall, IL; Mitch (and Cathy) Arney of Naperville, IL; Melissa Arney of Galesburg; and Marsha (and Kevin) Frear of Blue Springs, MO. Also surviving are his brother, Steve (and Carole) Arney of Marshall; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.           Bill served in the US Navy during World War II and in the US Air Force in the late 1950s.  He was a 64-year member of the American Legion (Post 90, Marshall, IL) and a life member of the VFW (Post 5975, Marshall).  After a varied career including positions as a stockbroker and teacher in Indiana, Illinois and New Mexico, he served 24 years as a special agent with the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms, retiring for the last time in 1993.           According to his wishes, cremation is being accorded, and his and Patty’s ashes will be interred at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois.  Memorials may be made to Bill’s favorite charity, The USO, P.O. Box 96860, Washington, DC, 20090-6860, or online at www.uso.org.  Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Watson-Thomas Funeral Home, Galesburg.