William Roy Aitken (81) of Beecher City

William Roy Aitken, 81, of Beecher City passed away Saturday, July 18, 2020 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Roy was born April 8, 1939, a son of Blanche and Lester Lutz. He graduated from Beecher City High School in 1957. On November 2, 1958 he married Dorothy Bush, and they were blessed with 61 years of marriage before her passing March 12, 2020. Following 18 years of employment with Sears, he founded Roy Aitken Refrigeration Service, which he owned and operated from 1976 to 2007. He was always assisting with Beecher City civic activities. He was a member of the Beecher City Tri-County Fire Protection District from 1959 to 2002, serving as chief from 1994 until he retired from the department. In years past, he served on the village board and was a charter member of Beecher City Tri-County Ruritan Club. He was a member of the Beecher City United Methodist Church. Roy loved to mushroom hunt with wife Dorothy and garden.

Visitation is Thursday, July 23, 2020 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Lockart-Green Funeral Home in Beecher City. A fire department Bell Service will be at 7:30 p.m. The funeral will be Friday, July 24, 2020 at 10 a.m. at Lockart-Green Funeral Home in Beecher City. Burial will be at Hubbartt Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Beecher City Area Kluthe Center.

He is survived by two children: Marsha (husband, Lloyd “Digger”) Kinder and James Aitken, all of Beecher City; three grandchildren: Jennifer (husband, Kenny) Howell of Beecher City, SSgt Tyler (wife, Breonna) Aitken, stationed with the U.S. Air Force in North Carolina and SSgt Austin (wife, McKenna) Aitken, stationed with the U.S. Air Force in South Korea; five great-grandchildren: Kinsley, Liam, Everett, Wesson and Remmington.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife. Family and friends are invited to light a candle or share a story in Roy’s honor by clicking here.