Willard E. Gaines, 94 of Fairview Heights, IL, born February 24, 1914 in Norris City, Illinois, died Friday May 9, 2008 at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, IL

Mr. Gaines was a retired Insurance Salesman for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. He was a member of Cornerstone Christian Church in Shiloh, Emeth Lodge #1030 AF&AM, Scottish Rite Bodies, Ainad Shrine (Legion of Honor) and IL-MO Shasta Trailer Club. He also was a US Army WWII veteran, receiving a purple heart from the Battle of the Bulge.

Preceded in death by his Wife - Marcella nee Lamb Gaines
Parents - Cyrus & Gertrude nee Talley Gaines
Brother - Virgil Gaines

Survived by his Wife - Pauline nee Wells Gaines of Fairview Heights, IL
Daughters - Janet Gaines of O'Fallon, IL
Betty (Graham) Charlton of St. Augustine, FL
Grandchildren - Lisa Gaines of O'Fallon, IL
Christina Gaines of O'Fallon, IL
Tiffany Pollard
Lisa Hauff Chris Hauff
Step-Children - Kathy Ann (Bill) Peebles-Vandervoort of Hudson, IL
Nancy S. (Larry) Peebles-Lacy of Mount Juliet, TN
Donald Emerson Peebles-Henderson of Nevada
James William (Denise) Peebles-Henderson of Nevada
9 Step Grandchildren
Numerous Nieces and Nephews

Memorials: Memorials may be made to American Heart Association or Shriners Hospital for Children.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4-8pm Sunday, May 11, 2008 at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, IL.

Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 1:30pm Monday, May 12, 2008 at Kurrus Funeral Home Chapel with Rick Hodshire and Bill Vandervoort officiating. Burial will be at Valhalla Gardens of Memory in Belleville, IL.