Born May 30, 1931 in Lepanto, Arkansas to James Alvin and Phronia Ann Epley (nee Britt), passed away on Friday August 24th, 2018. Son of a sharecropper, he spent his youth in southeast Missouri and northern Arkansas. On October 25th 1952, he was married to his childhood sweetheart, Mildred Louise Bramlet in Piggot, Arkansas. In that year, they moved to Camp Pendleton, California where Alvin served 2 years in the United States Marine Corps. After his enlistment was finished, he moved his family, now including a baby daughter, back to Missouri. Alvin then went to the carpenters training school where his talent for woodworking was brought to the forefront. At this time, another daughter joined the family. Alvin had big dreams of getting out of the small town in which they lived and make it in the big city, to give his daughters a better life than he had. 1960 brought a move to St. Louis, Missouri and a job at Gusdorf Corp. A respected worker, he worked at Gusdorf until his retirement in 1986. He and Louise retired to Fredericktown, Missouri where they enjoyed the country life. Later they moved to Williamson, Illinois to be closer to their family.
Alvin Enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, camping, gardening, joining in family sing-a-longs and taking a piece of wood and crafting it into something wonderful.
Survivors include his loving wife of 65 years; his daughters Linda Gail (Dale) Hiscox of New Douglas, Illinois and Donna Kay (John) Funke of West Jordan, Utah; his five grandchildren Tara Lynn (Steven) Smith, David Lee (Grace) Hiscox, Rebecca Louise Funke, Amanda Christine (Zach) Chesbrough and John Andrew Funke; eight great-grandchildren Parker Harry Smith, Ivy Cecelia Smith, Graham Lowell Smith, Hannah Marie Hiscox, Caleb Lee Hiscox, Jane Louise Hiscox and Matthew Bryan Chesbrough; one sister Shirley Ann (Doyle) Duncan as well as many cousins nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his one granddaughter, Dawn Michelle Hiscox. Sisters, Clare Lucille Epley Winberry (Glen), Bertha Mae Epley Carr (Bill), and Freida Marie Epley Wehde (Bob). Brothers, William Edward Epley (Erma) and Dewey Sylvester Epley (Shirley).
Funeral At Kutis Affton Chapel, 10151 Gravois Rd., Thursday August 30 11:30 AM. Interment Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Visitation Wednesday 4-8 PM.