Willard Arnold

PEORIA - Willard B. Arnold of Peoria, Ill., died on Saturday, March 30, 2013, in Louisville, Ky., while visiting his son.

Willard B. Arnold was born in Peoria, Ill., on Oct. 3, 1921. His parents were Augusta C. Burkhardt and Edward W. Arnold. He married Betty Jane Hertz on Dec. 9, 1941.

His sister, Harriet Arnold Schneider, resides in the Peoria area. Willard and Betty had one son, Stephen E. Arnold (Kay S.), who currently resides in Louisville, Ky. He has two grandchildren, Erik S. Arnold and Kelley Grice.

A graduate of the International Accountants Society training program, Mr. Arnold worked at the First National Bank. In the early 1940s, he joined R.G. LeTourneau Inc. In the mid-1950s, he and his family lived in Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil. In Brazil, Mr. Arnold was the Director Secretary of Tratores do Brasil SA, which was a subsidiary of LeTourneau Westinghouse Co.

Several years after returning to his position at LeTourneau, he joined Keystone Steel & Wire Co. In 1964, he was elected to the position of assistant treasurer of Keystone Consolidated Industries, where he worked until his retirement in 1982. He was a member of the 25-year club at Keystone. In his professional career, he was a member of the National Association of Accountants.

Willard B. Arnold was a member of the Peoria County Board of Supervisors representing the City of Peoria from April 1949 to June 1954. He was a member of the Board of Election Commissioners of the City of Peoria from December 1962 to April 1982.

In addition, he served for many years as the Republican precinct committeeman, the secretary of the Peoria County Republican Central Committee, and the treasurer of the Republican City Central Committee for Peoria, Illinois. He and his brother, Samuel (now deceased), were active in numerous fundraising efforts for the Republican Party and candidates representing Peoria and the State of Illinois.

Mr. Arnold was a member of the Society of the Descendants of the Founders of Hartford, Connecticut. He is the direct descendant of John Arnold, who came to America in 1633. John Arnold was one of the founders of Hartford. Mr. Arnold was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and a member of the Peoria Historical Society.

A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 25, 2013, at the Forest Hill Methodist Church, 706 East Forrest Hill Ave., Peoria.

Donations in his memory may be made to Forest Hill Methodist Church.