The Rev. George W. Waggoner, 87, went to be with the Lord at 8:15 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 12, 2009, at Countryside Manor in Mt. Vernon. George was born on Feb. 15, 1922, in rural Macedonia, the son of Earl and Gussie (Campbell) Waggoner. George married his life's companion, Aileen Bain, on June 1, 1944, in Mt. Vernon, at the bride's home. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this year.George devoted his life to education and the ministry. After graduating from Benton High School, he was one of the first four graduates of Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville, Tenn. He went on to graduate with a bachelor's degree from Columbia Bible College (Columbia International University) in Columbia, S.C. and a bachelor's in elementary education from McKendree College in Lebanon. He earned his master's in educational administration from the University of Illinois and his educational specialist in educational administration and approval as a director of special education from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. George spent 36 years as an educator, coach and school superintendent/principal at Shiloh, Summersville Grade School, Woodlawn Grade School and Old Union School in Jefferson County and at Okawville Grade School in Washington County. For the last 15 years of his career, George was director of special education at Mt. Vernon Township High School and mentored some of the first special education student teachers in the state. He also taught at Rend Lake College.After retirement, George became a real estate agent for United Farm Real Estate Agency and was developer of the Hickory Hills subdivision near 1-64 in Woodlawn.George served as pastor of Free Will Baptist churches in Jefferson, Wayne and Franklin counties for over 50 years, including Webb's Prairie, Bakerville, Salem, Pleasant View, Waltonville and Mt. Vernon First Free Will Baptist churches. He served as clerk of the National Association of Free Will Baptists and was strict moderator, parliamentarian, clerk, mission director and author of the bylaws, and he initiated the state newsletter for the state chapter for many years. In 2008, the Illinois State Association of Free Will Baptists honored him for his life's work with an award as Founder and Architect of Illinois Free Will Baptists.Survivors include his wife, Aileen Waggoner; two sons, Mark Waggoner of Mt. Vernon and Van Waggoner and wife Shirley of Dubuque, Iowa; two daughters, Dr. Jan Waggoner of Carbondale and Linda McMahan and husband Doug of Mt. Vernon; six grandchildren, Amanda and husband Jessie Gillen of Dubuque, Iowa, Ashley A. Snow and husband Charlie of Bluford, Adam Waggoner of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Rachael Waggoner of Ankeny, Iowa, Melissa McMahan of Carbondale and Stephanie Waggoner of Carbondale; one great-grandchild, Aaliyah Waggoner of Dubuque, Iowa; and two sisters, Grace Brose of St. Louis and Ruth Ann Wright and husband Don of Evansville, Ind. Several nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Marcela Payne Terhune and her husband Raymond Payne; brother, Charles Waggoner and sister-in-law Betty Waggoner; and brother-in-law, Al Brose.Funeral services will be held Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon with the Rev. David Shores officiating. Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery in Mt. Vernon. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.Memorial contributions may be made to the First Free Will Baptist Church of Mt. Vernon or to the Alzheimer's Foundation and will be accepted at the funeral home, or from the online obituary at www.hugheyfuneralhome1969.com, or mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864.Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Hughey Funeral Home where you may call 242-3348 or visit www.hugheyfuneralhome1969.com for further information and to send condolences