Nathaniel Arthel Pigee SR.

Nathaniel (Nay) Arthel Pigee, SR. was born on June 24, 1932 to the late Demore and Lelar (Bogans) Pigee in Villa Ridge, Illinois. Nathaniel was the eighth child born unto this union. He was the last to join his parents and siblings. Nathaniel departed this life on May 23, 2023 at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Marion, Illinois surrounded by his loving family.
At the age of 18 Nathaniel joined the United States Navy. While in the Navy he served on many ships and duty stations, such as Key West, Florida, Great Lakes, Illinois, Norfolk, Virginia and New London, Connecticut. Nathaniel served his country proud having received many medals and accommodations during his time of service from 1950 until being honorably discharged in 1965.
While stationed in Key West, Florida he met and married the love of his life Edwina (Benia) Thomas. The couple united in Holy Matrimony on September 8, 1952. To this union four children were born. Nay and Benia moved to Peoria, Illinois after Nay was discharged from the Navy. He went to work for Caterpillar before relocating his family to Joliet, Illinois where Nay gained employment at General Motors in Le Grange, Illinois. He retired from General Motors to enjoy his family an friends. Once he retired Nay and his Benia moved to Deltona, Florida where they lived several years. The couple later moved to Mound City, Illinois where Nay could be closer to his family. While living in Mound City Nay was very active serving in the Alexander / Pulaski County Branch of the NAACP, a member of the Stone City Lodge # 35 F and AM, a member of the Douglas High School Reunion Committee and a dedicated member of the Zion Travelers Missionary Baptist Church in Mound City where he served as Assistant Superintendent of Sunday School, the Deacon Board, sang in the choir and participated on the Brotherhood Committee.
He was preceded in death by his parents Demore and Lelar Pigee, four sisters, Christine Blakemore, Beulah Green, Savannah Buchner, Adrienna McNair and five brothers, Willie, Fred, Demore, Jr., James, Elijah and Percy.
Nathaniel will be missed by his loving wife of 70 plus years Edwina (Benia), three daughters Gwendolyn (Rudolph) Collins of Joliet, Illinois, Karen Pigee of Shorewood, Illinois and Valerie (Eugene) Adams of Joliet, Illinois, one son Nathaniel (Nate, Jr.) of Bloomington, Illinois. In addition he leaves one sister-in-law Annie Pigee of Joliet, Illinois, six grandchildren, Tiffany, Edwina, Jermaine, Metish, Nia and Megan. Ten great- grandchildren, Kevin, Kiana, Skylar, Alex, Jaila, Chayton, JuJu, Derrick, Dilan and Allen and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Daddy, Uncle Nay, Nay, Hot Daddy, Big daddy, Daddy Nay and Paw Paw you will be missed. The Pigee family reunion has lost its final Matriarch. Rest in Peace with the rest of the little Pigee's.
Services for Nathaniel Arthel Pigee, SR. will be held on Friday June 2, 2023 at 11:00 am at Zion Traveler's Missionary Baptist Church in Mound City, Illinois. Rev. Edward Ballard will be officiating, Rev. Ernest Hamilton, Pastor. Visitation will be Friday at the Church from 10:00 am until the funeral hour at 11:00 am Burial will be in the Mound City National Cemetery at 1:00 pm with Military honors provided by the Navy Funeral Honors Detail and the Area Veterans. Professional Services Entrusted to Massie Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left massiefuneralhome.com
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