AVA – Willard Allen Cross, 81, of Ava, passed away Sunday, March 13, 2022, at Carbondale Memorial Hospital, Carbondale, IL.

Allen was born January 4, 1941, in Chester, IL, to Willard W. and Lydia Brunkhorst Cross. He married Wilma Popejoy on December 3, 1960, in Murphysboro, IL. Allen was a retired truck driver from Gilster Mary Lee Corporation and was a member of Missionary Baptist Church, Ava, IL.

Allen is survived by his wife, Wilma Cross of Ava, IL, children: Mike (Deb) Cross of Ava, IL, Roger (Wanda) Cross of Ava, IL, Regina Reiman of Murphysboro, IL, Ruth (Joe Dean) Smith of Ava, IL, Larry (Kim) Cross of Ava, IL, Susan (Roy) Wanless of Ava, IL, Gary Cross of Ava, IL, JoAnn Hunter of Murphysboro, IL; sixteen grandchildren, twenty-six great grandchildren, siblings: Betty Austin of Ava, IL and Barbara Phoenix of Ava, IL.

Allen is preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Jim, two sons-in-law, Joe Reiman and Scott Hunter.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at Wilson's Funeral Home, Ava, with Rev. Robert Boyett officiating. Burial to follow at Ava Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation will be at Wilson's Funeral Home, Ava, where friends may call from 5-8 pm, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 7:30 – 11 am. Memorials may be given to St Jude Children's Hospital and can be mailed to Wilson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 277, Ava, IL 62907. To sign the guestbook, visit www.wilsonsfuneralhome.net .