Walter "Pee Wee" Cassiday

Walter L. "Pee Wee" Cassiday, age 63, of Monmouth, Illinois; passed away at 2:20 am on Sunday February 13, 2011 at OSF St.Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois. He was born on November 17, 1947 in Monmouth, the son of Vernon O."Jack" and Letha Fay Aldridge Cassiday. "Pee Wee" was raised and educated in Monmouth where he attended local schools and Monmouth High School. He received his G.E.D. and then attended some college level courses at Carl Sandburg College. Walter entered the Army and served during the Viet Nam War. He was married to Karen Sue Kilpatrick on November 27, 1971 in East Galesburg, Illinois. "Pee Wee" was employed by Francis Haas at Haas Standard Service from 1978 to 1985. During this time he also drove an oil truck for Jim Halcomb. He then owned and operated his own business "Pee Wee's " Service in Monmouth from 1985 to 1989. He to the present has been employed by Midstate Manufacturing as an Industrial Maintenance Mechanic. "Pee Wee" loved racing and race cars, racing at both the Knoxville Speedway in Knoxville, IL and the 34 Raceway in Burlington, Iowa. He was an avid Richard Petty race fan, a fan of Conway Twitty, and a FORD enthusiast. He is survived by his wife Karen S. Cassiday of Monmouth, two daughters Dianna (Bryan) Boyd of Macomb, and Dawn (Jamie) Smith of Monmouth, Illinois. One son Troy (Tiffany) Cassiday of Concord, North Carolina. Five grandchildren, Shelby, Stephen, Scott, and Victoria Boyd, and Zachary Smith. One sister survives Tammy (Dannie)Buckallew of Lancaster, Missouri and One brother Elmer "Sonny" Cassiday of Princeton, Indiana. A number of Nieces, Nephews, and other relatives also survive. He is preceded in death by his Parents and Grandparents. Services:A funeral service for "Pee Wee" is planned on Friday Feb.18, 2011 at 10:00 am at Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth, where his family plans to receive friends on Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Interment with military honors will be in Monmouth Cemetery. A memorial fund is being established for OSF St. Francis Children's Hospital in Peoria, Illinois.