WOLF LAKE, Ill. -- William P. "Bill" Levan, 81, of Wolf Lake went to be with the Lord Thursday, Oct. 3, 2002, at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale, Ill.

He was born June 26, 1921, in Jackson County, Ill., son of Peter M. and Emma Crisler Levan. He and Lillian Dietz were married Jan. 11, 1941, in Cape Girardeau.

Mr. Levan was a retired farmer. He was a 50-year Mason and member of Galilee Baptist Church. He was interested in the old west, enjoyed hunting, and always had other projects that he was involved in at different times like growing pumpkins or seed corn, raising Shetland ponies, or having the Video Unlimited Store.

Survivors include his wife; five children and their spouses, Joyce Ann Elbrecht and husband Virgil of Greenville, Pa., Pat Simpkins and husband Larry of Murphysboro, Ill., Linda Kay Biondo and husband Vito of St. Louis, Roger Levan and wife Judy of Grand Tower, Ill., Jim Levan and wife Tracey of Grand Tower; a sister, Annabelle Imhoff of Murphysboro; a special friend, Jimmy Farmer; 19 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Bert Levan; two sisters, Helen Borgsmiller and Grace Levan.

Friends may call at Pettett Funeral Home in Murphysboro from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, and Monday from 6:30 to 10 a.m.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Pleasant Hill Christian Church in Murphysboro. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Galilee Baptist Church in Wolf Lake.

"And He came Himself to meet me, in that way so hard to tread; And with Jesus' arm to lean on -- Could I have one doubt or dread?"