MT. MORRIS — William Paul Anderson, 87, of Mt. Morris died peacefully on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, with family at his side. He was born July 11, 1937, in Hodgeman County, Kansas, to Orla Jay “Bill” and Lokadia (David) Anderson.
Paul grew up working on the family farm with his parents, brothers, and sister. He graduated from Inola High School in 1955 and then attended Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College and Oklahoma State University (OSU), graduating from OSU in 1960 with a bachelor’s degree in education.
He began teaching in Cleveland, Ohio, where he met his wife, Eunice. The two were married on August 11, 1962, in Chrisman, IL.
After they married, the couple moved to Muskogee, OK, and then McPherson, KS, where their two children were born. The family soon moved to Mt. Morris, IL, where Paul taught industrial arts for 26 years at Mt. Morris High School, retiring in 1993. During the summers, Paul furthered his education, earning a master’s degree in education from Northeastern Illinois University.
The couple joined the Evangelical Free Church of Mt. Morris in 1968, and over the years, Paul served as church chairman, head usher, chairman of the deacon board, Sunday school teacher, small group leader, youth tutor, and along with Eunice, helped launch a ministry for senior adults.
After retiring, the couple spent countless hours caring for and investing in their grandchildren. Paul volunteered with the Village of Progress and served on three mission trips to Honduras. He and Eunice traveled to Louisiana to lend aid after Hurricane Katrina.
In his spare time, Paul enjoyed fishing, gardening, and crosswords. His penchant for creativity led to storytelling, cooking, woodcarving, painting, writing, and woodworking. He dreamed up stories to tell his children and grandchildren, built furniture pieces and wooden toys and tools for loved ones, wrote articles for publication in trade magazines, and was even named the Mt. Morris Public Library’s “Poet Laureate” in 2019.
A beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, Paul was known for his sense of humor, his love for the Lord, his care for his family and friends, and his service to the church and to others. The whole of Paul's life reflected his ultimate fidelity: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15b)
Paul is survived by two children, Beth Hoglund of Rockford and Doug (Katherine) Anderson of Wheaton, IL; 9 grandchildren [Wyatt Anderson, Samuel Anderson, Bella (Michael) Oliver, Marion Anderson, Mike (Cindy Hunsberger) Hoglund, Cindy (Greg) Walters, Randy (Bonnie) Hoglund, Val Hoglund, and Brad (Sonia) Hoglund]; 11 great grandchildren; and 6 great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; Eunice; their son-in-law, Gene Hoglund; as well as his sister Grace (Bill) Lupfer and brothers, Jerry and David (Patricia) Anderson.
The celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at The Evangelical Free Church of Mt. Morris with Rev. Bruce McKanna officiating. Visitation will precede the service, beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will be immediately following the service at Oakwood Cemetery in Mt. Morris.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to: Evangelical Free Church of Mt. Morris, 102 S. Seminary, Mt. Morris, IL 61054
