Willie C. Mason

Willie C. Mason, age 86, of Pomona, passed away peacefully at 8:55 a.m. Monday, Dec. 18, 2017, in St. Francis Medical Center of Cape Girardeau, MO. He was born on February 7, 1931, in Sand Ridge, Illinois; the oldest of eight children to Henry C. and Nettie E. (Whelchel) Mason. At a young age, Willie worked hard and had responsibilities helping to provide for a large family surviving during the Great Depression. He was naturally athletic and competitive. In high school, he was a member of the undefeated 1947 Red Devils Football Team. After high school, he proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1948 to 1960. In 1952, Willie married Matella B. Cochran, in Murphysboro, and they had five children. In 1977, he married Loreen Sehnert, in Murphysboro, and they had two children. In 1996, he retired from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department after 23 years of service in law enforcement. He spent much of his retirement camping, fishing, boating and traveling. He lived simple, was full of character, and is remembered by many as quite the storyteller. Willie is survived by his seven children: Heidi (Gerry) Verner of Ocean Springs, MS; Amanda (Jack) Morgan of Tulsa, OK; Scot (Patty) Mason of Pomona, IL; Marc (Rhonda) Mason of Granite City, IL; Sarah (David) DeStafano of Pittsboro, NC; Monica (Harry) Raines of Murphysboro, IL; and Holly Mason of Carbondale, IL. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, nine step-grandchildren, eleven step-great-grandchildren, and six siblings: Mary A. Tucker, George L. Mason, Raymond L. Mason, Edith M. Stevens, Henrietta Shaffer, and Charlie S. Mason, and several nephews and nieces. He is preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Helen M. McGee. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 22nd at Crawshaw Funeral Home in Murphysboro. Pastor James Easton will officiate. Burial will follow at Crain Cemetery in rural Ava, IL. Visitation will be held 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 21st, at the funeral home. Family and friends who would like to make a donation in Willie's memory may send them to Abundant Life Fellowship Church in Murphysboro, St. Francis Care animal shelter in Murphysboro, or any charity of your choice.

Willie C. Mason

February 7, 1931 - December 18, 2017