Robert "Bob" L. Willerton Obituary (1932

Robert L . Willerton, 91, of Danvers IL, died at home on June 15, 2024. He was born December 10, 1932, the son of Parke and Maurine Lantz Willerton. Bob married Sue Hutchinson on December 28, 1954, in Rockford Illinois. Sue died in 2018 after 64 years of marriage and Bob is survived by four daughters, Kathryn Willerton of Danvers, Dr. Rebecca (Jeffrey) Fornero of Chenoa, Martha (James) Ingold of Bloomington, and Dr. Nancy (Craig Mills) Willerton of Greenwood Village, Colorado. Also surviving are eight grandchildren: Jonathan (Ashley), Elizabeth (Dennis), Michael (Liz), Hannah (Rijul), Parke, Hazel, Zadie, and Zeb, and two great-grandchildren: Ellie and Olivia. Bob attended Danvers schools and graduated from the University of Illinois. He served in the Counterintelligence Corps in the United States Army and then farmed in the Danvers area for 40 years. He was also employed for ten years at Eureka-Williams as a computer programmer. Bob was a founding partner in Total Data Services and partnered with Wade Irwin in acquiring Carl’s Ice Cream. Bob was a nationally known breeder, showman, and judge of purebred Cheviot sheep and Angus cattle. He was twice president of the American Cheviot Sheep Society. In addition, Bob was a long-term 4-H leader, a Danvers Township Supervisor, and served on the board of the Danvers Fire Protection District. He also was a life-long Yankees fan and he and Sue enjoyed using their season tickets to U of I basketball games. There are no visitation or services planned at this time. It is suggested that memorials be given to the Danvers Community Fire Protection District or in memory of Sue to the Alzheimer’s Association.