PERRYVILLE, Mo. — Willard J. Sandlin, 84, of Jefferson City, Mo., formerly of Perryville, died Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009, at St. Mary's Hospital in Jefferson City.

He was born July 22, 1924, at Crosstown, Mo., son of Elia E. and Christina S. Bohnert Sandlin. He and Elsie E. Gross were married May 23, 1948.

Sandlin worked at a shoe factory and was a retail clerk 31 years in the men's department at Rozier Mercantile Co.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Kenneth Sandlin of Hillsboro, Ill., Dennis Sandlin of Jefferson City; a sister, Dorothy Rhyne of Perryville; and a grandson.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.

Sandlin was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Jefferson City and a former member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Perryville, where he served on various boards and committees. He was a member of American Legion Post 133 and a lifetime member of VFW Post 4282.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. Friday at Young and Sons Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Perryville, with the Rev. Alvin Lange officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with military rites provided by VFW Post 4282.