William M. Cheatham, 79, of Collinsville, Ill., born July 1, 1936, in Bernie, Mo., passed away Tuesday, March 22, 2016.

Mr. Cheatham was a Korean War veteran. He retired from McDonnell-Douglas Corporation.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, JoAnn, nee Garcia, Cheatham; his parents, Richard and Ida, nee Covington, Cheatham; and a brother-in-law, Ted Whitley.

Surviving are a daughter, Kelly (Fred) Kurtz of Collinsville, Ill.; a son, Scott (Becky) Cheatham of Northglenn, Colo.; two sisters, Dorothy (late Ted) Whitley of St. Peters, Mo., and Mary (Charles) Diamond of Bridgeton, Mo. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Stephanie Kurtz, Ashley (Ismael) Valenzuela, Felicia (Steven) Ferguson, Devin Cheatham, and Korissa Cheatham; two great-grandchildren, Christopher Ferguson, and Rebecca Ferguson; and multiple nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made in William's honor to Collinsville Humane Society, or to Partners for Pets.

Visitation: Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 2, 2016, at Herr Funeral Home, Collinsville, Ill.

Funeral: Funeral services will follow at noon Saturday, April 2, 2016, at the funeral home.

Interment will follow in Sunset Hill Memorial Estates, Glen Carbon, Ill.