Robert A. Willeford

Robert A. “Bob” Willeford, age 82, of Belleville, IL, born on August 17, 1938, in East St. Louis, IL, died on May 28, 2021, at Swansea Rehab and Care Center, Swansea, IL.  

Bob grew up in Smithton, IL and was a Freeburg High School graduate.  He enlisted in the United States Navy and served on the USS Marias.  He worked in sales at Jack Schmidt Ford in Collinsville. He was also known to be the “grill master” as he loved barbequing.  Bob was a very loving husband, father, papa, and great papa. 

He was preceded in death by his son, Robert “Rob” Kebel; his parents, Elton, and Agnes, nee Keeser Willeford; and his sister, Jo Ellen Thompson.

Bob is survived by his wife, Judith Ann Willeford, nee Behl; his daughter Karen (Richard) Ney of Houston, TX; his daughter-in-law, Theresa Kebel of Fairview Heights, IL; his grandchildren, Raegan (Eduardo) DeLeon of Houston, TX, Alicia Kebel of Fairview Heights, IL; his great-granddaughter, Holland Rae DeLeon; and his four-legged buddy, Daphene.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois.

A procession will leave the mortuary at 8:45 a.m. on Monday, June 7, 2021, for a 9:30 a.m. committal service at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO with Pastor Duane Willeford officiating.

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