William H. “Bill” Pence, 89, of rural Lomax, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington, Iowa.

Bill was born July 22, 1933 at the family home near Lomax, where he would live all of his life. He was the son of Herbert and Wanda (Fisher) Pence. His father passed away when Bill was a young boy. He was raised by his grandfather William Fisher and his mother. On August 1, 1954 he married the love of his life, Vieva Joyce Lindgren at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Stronghurst, Illinois. She preceded him in death January 27, 2021.

Bill attended the Pleasant Grove Grade School and graduated from Terre Haute High School in 1951. Bill began farming at the age of fifteen. This developed into a lifelong passion for agriculture. His farm was recognized as a Sesquicentennial Farm. He enjoyed showing registered Hampshire Sheep along with his sons and daughters at many State Fairs and National Shows. He helped organize Illinois Western Sheep Producers and served as the first Chairman. He also sold Walnut Grove Feed locally for many years. In later years, he raised registered Angus cattle. Whether sheep or cattle, he always had a trusted border collie with him to move his livestock.

He was a member of the Terre Haute United Methodist Church, serving as Church Board Chairman for many years. He served on the Terre Haute School Board and was on the Henderson County Board for 10 years. He was also Lomax Township Supervisor for 12 years and was a Lomax Republican Committeeman for 26 years. He enjoyed hunting, especially coon hunting, telling stories, and visiting with his friends and family. He never met a stranger. He loved the sport of baseball and was an avid Chicago Cubs fan.

Survivors include five children: Susan Pratt of LaHarpe, Steve (Julie) Pence of Lomax, Sherry (Kevin) Beals of LaHarpe, Sally (Rodney) Boyle of Burlington, Iowa and Shirley (Rod) Morrison of Cameron, Missouri; 16 grandchildren: Mike (Amy) Pratt, Cassie Pratt, Sasha (Andrew) Kloepper, Shannon (Felecia) Pence, Amber (Jason) Duncan, Drew (Erica) Pence, Skyler (Mariah) Pence, Samantha (Tyler) Howe, Madison (Kevin) Mershon, Mitch (Brooke) Beals, Mason Beals, Jessica (Nick) Malone, Fisher (Ashley Demers) Boyle, Tucker Morrison, Carter Morrison and Sam Morrison; twenty-two great-grandchildren and one sister: Jane Buchanan of Florida. Also surviving is one brother-in-law: Harold (Barbara) Lindgren and sister-in-law: Mary Ann Lindgren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides his wife he was preceded in death by one son: Stanley Fisher Pence and two grandchildren: Kade Pratt and Meredith Beals.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 11, 2022 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe with Rev. Jim Clayton and Rev. Lee Unger officiating. Burial will be held at the Heisler Cemetery, on Bill’s farm, near Lomax.

Friends may call from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Saturday, December 10, 2022 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe.

A memorial fund has been established for the Terre Haute United Methodist Church or the Lomax Fire Department. To leave a condolence for the family, please visit Bill's obituary at banksandbeals.com.