September 5, 1924 - April 8, 2008

William Mullen Jr., 83, of Paris, Illinois passed away at 2:27 a.m. EDT Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at Regional Hospital in Terre Haute, Indiana. He was retired after over twenty-five years as an electrician with IBEW #725.

He was born September 5, 1924 in Paris, Illinois, the son of the late William Franklin Mullen and the late Stella Vizena (Ryan) Mullen. He married Cora F. Elledge on April 19, 1946 at the Nazarene parsonage in Paris, Illinois.

Survivors include his wife of sixty-one years; a son, William Daniel (Janet) Mullen of Mattoon, Illinois; a daughter, Barbara Jean (David) Birchfield of LaPorte, Indiana; five grandchildren, Clayton and Ryan Mullen both of Chicago, Illinois, Cody Mullen of Champaign, Illinois, and Seth Birchfield and Carrie Steuer both of LaPorte, Indiana; four great-grandchildren, Katelyn and Hannah Birchfield and Madison and Andrew Steuer; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by five brothers and six sisters.

Mr. Mullen served in the U.S. Army Engineers in the WWII Pacific Theatre, earning the rank of sergeant. He attended First Church of the Nazarene of Paris and was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3601. He enjoyed vegetable gardening and spending time with his family, grandchildren, and extended family.

For those who wish, the family suggests that memorials be made to First Church of the Nazarene of Paris or to the Compassionate Food Pantry.

Services celebrating his life were conducted at 2:00 p.m. Friday, April 11, 2008 at the Templeton Funeral Home in Paris. Pastors James Blue and Cade Clarke officiated and music was provided by Joan Trine, organist and Miriam St. John, soloist. Burial followed in Edgar Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by American Legion Post #211 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3601. Casket Bearers were David and Seth Birchfield, Dan Cartwright, and Clayton, Cody, and Ryan Mullen. Visitation was from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.