William Gauch, Jr., of Elkville

William Gauch, Jr., 82, of Elkville, passed away at 11:24 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018 at the SSM Health Good Samaritan in Mt. Vernon.
Bill was a bricklayer, then he became the field representative for 32 counties for Local 8. He was a member of the Elkville Methodist Church.
Bill served as a village board member for Elkville and was on the Kinkaid water board. He was a 50-year member of the De Soto Masonic Lodge. Bill was inducted into the Amateur Illinois Softball Hall of Fame.
He was a coach and director for many years of the Elkville Little and Khoury Leagues. He loved golf and his family.
He was born Jan. 30, 1936 at Royalton, Illinois, the son of William and Thelma (Orlandini) Gauch.
His father passed away when he was very young and Thelma married Ardell Wesley Holmes, who raised Bill. His grandmother was Louise Manus.
Bill married Effie Jane (Alvis) Ford on March 30, 1962 at Pinckneyville and she survives.
He is survived by his wife of Elkville, five children - Billy Gauch and wife Brenda of Cartersville, Ga.; Michael Gauch and wife Angella of Harrisburg; stepson - Nyle Ford and wife Jacque of Sunfield; Jackie Lynn Williams of Elkville and Patricia Ann Buser and husband Keith of Elkville/
Additional survivors include sister - Coralee Lawder and husband Jim of Murphysboro; brother - Donnie Holmes and wife Ladonna of Dowell; 14 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents and grandmother.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with Bro. Jerry Aken and Rev. Angie Ransom officiating.
Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.
Burial will be in the Elkville Cemetery at Elkville.
Friends may make memorials to the Cancer Center at Carterville, IL and will be accepted at the funeral home.
For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.