Wallace E. "Wally" Leggitt

Wallace E. "Wally" Leggitt, 88, of Robinson, IL, passed away on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at Crawford Memorial Hospital in Robinson. He was born on January 28, 1934, in Palestine, IL, the son of Walter & Marie (Purcell) Leggitt, both of whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Malcolm Leggitt; his twin sister, Barbara Jennings; and his daughter-in-law, Debbie Leggitt.

He married Carolyn Irvin on January 4, 1958, and she survives. He is also survived by his two sons & his daughter-in-law, Eric & Sonia Leggitt (Cape Coral, FL) and Jim Leggitt (Scottsdale, AZ); by one grandchild, Nikki Rhodenbeck (Arlington, VA); as well as several nieces and nephews.

He grew up in the Palestine area, and, upon graduating from Palestine High School in 1952, Wally enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He would proudly serve his country for four years, one of which was spent in Korea. Back home, he went to work at Briggs Pottery for a couple of years before finding employment with Texaco, where he was a tax supervisor for seven years. Eventually, he became an accounting supervisor for Victor Dana, a role he held for twelve years, leading his family to Witchita Falls for a time. They soon moved back home, where he and Carolyn owned and operated the Arvin Motel for thirteen years before finally retiring in 1994.

Even in retirement, he worked part-time as an accountant for his good friend, Don Hoagland, who knew that Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays were off-limits, as these were set apart for golfing! Wally was, by all accounts, an avid golfer who spent countless hours at the Quail Creek Country Club course, where he hit a hole-in-one, a feat of which he was particularly proud. He was also proud of his boys, whose baseball teams he coached every summer of their childhood. He also spent many summer evenings umpiring ballgames.

Wally Leggitt was one of those memorable souls who left an impression on anyone he met. He was quick with a joke and loved to tell light-hearted stories (even if everyone had heard it a hundred times!) His friends at the Robinson Free Methodist Church could attest to this fact and are assured that his story hasn't ended, but, by the grace of God, continues on into eternity.

A time of visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 29th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. Funeral services will immediately follow and be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, with Pastor Aaron Peternel officiating. Burial will be in the Robinson New Cemetery, where military rites will be accorded by the combined units of the Scott Air Force Base Honor Guard, the Robinson V.F.W. Post #4549, the Robinson American Legion Post #69, and the Flat Rock American Legion Post #132. In honor of his many years of service on its board, memorial contributions may be made to the "Clothing Center Workshop", with envelopes available at the funeral home.