William Fairchild

William L. Fairchild, age 87, of Portland passed away Saturday morning July 20, 2019 in Persimmon Ridge Healthcare.

He was born in Bryant on Feb. 22, 1932, the son of Albert and Anna (Zeigler) Fairchild. He was married June 7, 1953, to Lucille Bleile, and she passed away on April 19, 2018.

He was a Greene Township farmer, worked at Horizon and retired from Jay Products. He was a private pilot in Waukegon, Illinois, where he gave lessons.

He was a 1950 graduate of Warren Township High School in Gurnee, Illinois, and Lewis University.

He was a member of the Grange, attended Zion Lutheran Church and enjoyed refinishing furniture.

He is survived by two daughters, Donna Bailey (companion: Mike Butcher) of Portland and Faye Bailey (husband: Bob) of Portland; four grandchildren, Greg Geesaman, Scott Geesaman, Jody Huey and Jamie Fairchild; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Robert Fairchild; a daughter Rita Fairchild; and sister Delores Howell.

Funeral services will be Thursday, July 25, 2019, at 6 p.m. in the Baird-Freeman Funeral Home with Pastor Aaron Huey presiding. Burial will follow in the IOOF Cemetery in Pennville.

Visitation will be Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. Memorials can be made to the choice of the donor.

Condolences may be expressed at bairdfreeman.com.