William McClellan

William "Smiley" McClellan, 88, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, passed away at 10:26 pm May 3, 2025 SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon, Illinois. He was born September 26, 1936 in rural Sesser, Illinois to the late William and Myrtle McClellan. Smiley married Joy Bullock on January 1, 1956 and she survives.
Mr. McClellan proudly served his country in the United States Army from October 1954 until October 1957, where he also played football. He attended William and Mary College and SIU in Carbondale, Illinois. Smiley worked as a coal miner until retirement at Zeigler Coal Co. (Old Ben 26). After retirement, he worked for Quest Diagnostics as a route server. Before retirement, he taught at Dodds Community Unit School and Roberts and Schaeffer Const. Co. He also served on the Sesser Valier School Board for thirteen years.
Smiley was a past member of First Baptist Church in Sesser and Spring Hill, Florida. He was a present member at West Salem Trinity Methodist Church in Mount Vernon. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge.
He enjoyed reading, fishing, playing golf, singing, telling jokes, and above all, being with his family. Smiley took great pride in being married to the love of his life for sixty-nine and a half years.
In addition to his parents, Smiley was preceded in death by his son, Michael McClellen; daughter, Teresa Phillips; grandmother, Fannie Jurcich; and sisters, Bertha Fredrickson, Suella Cox, Vickie Ashment, and Billie Gilbreath.
In addition to his beloved wife, Smiley is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Benedict and husband, Rick of Mount Vernon; grandchildren, Danielle Dalsanto of Olney, Illinois, Sierra Grider and husband, Robert of Mount Vernon, and Karlee Benedict of Mount Vernon; great-grandson, Brooks Grider; sister and brother-in-law, Bobbie and J.T. Ingram of DuQuoin, Illinois; brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Donna Bullock of Johnston City, Illinois; brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Sheri Bullock of DuQuoin, Illinois; several nieces and nephews; and foster sons, Randy and Walter Palmowski and half-sister, Patti Utley and husband Robert of Sesser, Illinois.
A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held Friday, May 9, 2025 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at West Salem Trinity Methodist Church in Mount Vernon, Illinois. A Celebration of Life will begin at 12:00 pm with Reverend Harold Quick officiating. Memorials may be made in William's honor to West Salem Trinity Methodist Church.
Call Newell Funeral Home at 618-246-0100 or visit newellfuneralhome.com for further information.