William Cinnamon

BRIMFIELD - William Davis Cinnamon, 77, of rural Brimfield died at 8:50 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, 2012, at his residence.

Bill was born Oct. 9, 1934, in Kewanee, the son of William G. and Myrl Davis Cinnamon. He married Shirley Ann Lampkin on Oct. 26, 1957, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Princeton, Ill. She survives.

Also surviving are his children, William Marcus (Cindi) Cinnamon of Shabbona, Ill., Michael Lee Cinnamon of Morton, Ill., Mary Ann Murphy of Bloomington, Ill., and Monte C. (Chris Langley) Cinnamon of Laguna Beach, Calif.; nine grandchildren, Christian Daniel (Courtney) Cinnamon of Asheville, N.C., Cody David Cinnamon of Morton, Ill., Chelsea Jo Cinnamon of Shabbona, Ill., Erika Ann Cinnamon of Chicago, Ill., Jessica Ann (Julian) Richards of Toronto, Ontario, William Tyler Cinnamon of Lisle, Ill., Ashley Ann Murphy of Peoria, Ill., Drew Thomas Murphy of Bloomington, Ill., and Andrea Morgan Murphy of Bloomington, Ill.; one sister, Elizabeth Franklin of Toulon; two nieces, Vicki (George) Sales of East Peoria and Debbie (Fulvio) Zerla of Toulon; and one nephew, Dana McCurdy of Bradford.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mary Martha McCurdy; two brothers-in-law, Marshall McCurdy and Delmar Franklin; and one nephew, William Franklin.

Bill served in the United States Army Reserves.

He received his master's degree from the University of Illinois in ag education, teaching in the Brimfield Schools for 30 years. For 26 of those years, he taught vocational agriculture in the Brimfield School system, and was the vocational director and FFA Chapter advisor, leading a very active FFA Chapter. In 1981, his FFA Chapter chaired the soft drink concession at the Farm Progress Show. He also drove a school bus for 30 years. Bill retired from teaching in 1991 and then he owned and operated Cinnamon Christmas Tree Farm, where his hobby was growing exotic varieties of evergreens. He also worked as a field inspector for Funk's G Hy-Brid for 20 years.

Bill was an avid sports fan, especially of the Chicago White Sox and Brimfield sports teams. He was honored as an assistant and official scorekeeper during the IHSA State Basketball finals.

He was member and past president of the Illinois Christmas Tree Growers Association and its national organization. He served on the board of the Heart of Illinois Fair and was the Tug of War chairman for 25 years. Bill was a member of the Brimfield Area Historical Society and worked on the restoration and set-up of stones in the Brimfield Cemetery. He also was past member and officer of the Brimfield Jaycees. He served as Jubilee Township Assessor for 15 years and was on the Jubilee Township Cemetery Board. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, where he served as a lector for several years. He also served on the Peoria Diocesan School Board. He was appointed by the Bishop to a committee to create the first Diocesan Pastoral Council.

A funeral Mass for Bill Cinnamon will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 7, 2012, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Brimfield. Father John Verrier will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Brimfield.

Memorial contributions may be made to the William Cinnamon Memorial Scholarship Fund or OSF Hospice.

Hammitt-Hott Funeral Home in Princeville is in charge of arrangements.

Private condolences may be sent to the family via www.hammitthott.com.