Walter Thomas Finley

Walt Finley, 88, of Hillsboro, IL passed away on Tuesday, February 24, 2015, at 7:50 a.m. at St. John’s Hospice in Springfield, IL.  Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2015, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at Bass Patton Dean Funeral Home, Hillsboro, IL with funeral service to follow at 12:00 noon at Bass Patton Dean Funeral Home, Hillsboro, IL.  Mark Noyes of Hillsboro, IL will officiate.  Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Hillsboro, IL.

Walt was born on April 18, 1926 in Lemay, MO to the late Whitson C. Finley and Amanda (Cording) Finley.  He married Kendra S. Lawrence on September 14, 1957 at Grace Methodist Church, St. Louis,  MO.  She survives in Hillsboro, IL.

Walt attended grade school in Lemay, MO.  In 1940, his family moved to Taylor Springs and lived on a farm there.  He graduated from Hillsboro High School with the Class of 1944.  He joined the Army Air Corps and reported for duty immediately after graduation, serving from 1944 to 1946.

He attended Shurtleff College in Alton, IL for 2 ½ years.  He then was a foreman at the Fisher Body Plant in St. Louis before entering St. Louis College of Pharmacy.  He graduated with a Degree in Pharmacy in 1953.

Walt and Kendra purchased Jordan Pharmacy in Hillsboro in October, 1962.  This became Finley’s Pharmacy and remained so for 23 years.  John DalPozzo purchased the business in March, 1986.

Walt is known in Hillsboro for his art work and photography.  He especially enjoyed the Old Settler’s Art Show, where he won many awards, including Best of Show.  He worked with the Art Show for many years.

He was proud to have been selected as Grand Marshal of the Old Settler’s Parade in 2011.  He especially enjoyed having his granddaughters ride in the parade with him.

Walt is survived by his wife, Kendra; three sons, Brian Finley of Maryville, IL; Bruce (wife Lisa) Finley, Hillsboro, IL; David (wife Kelli) Finley, Rochester, IL and one daughter, Vickie (husband Rick) Baker, Pueblo West, CO; eight grandchildren, Savannah and Sydney Finley, Maryville, IL; Krissy and Kelsey Finley, Rochester, IL; Aaron (wife Amy) Baker, Bourbonnais, IL; Andie and Adam Baker, Pueblo West, CO; Abigail Baker, Pueblo, CO; and five great-grandchildren; brother, Bob Finley, Lake St. Louis, MO and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Doris Finley Elmendorf.

Walt was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, American Legion Post #153, Loyal Order of Moose #1377, Mt. Moriah Masonic Lodge #51 AF & AM, Scottish Rite, Shriner’s International.

Memorials may be sent to Montgomery County Cancer Association.

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