Fred D. Graves

Fred D. Graves, 86 of Staunton passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 15, 2019 at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, MO. Born June 27, 1933 in Syracuse, KS, he was a son of the Late Mr. & Mrs. Carl Graves. He married Shirley C. Vesper on October 4, 1957 in Denver, CO and she passed away on October 28, 2018. He worked as a Homebuilder with Graves Brothers Construction in Staunton for many years. Fred served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He was a Member & Past President of Staunton VFW Post #1241. Fred was able to travel the world and very proud to have ridden a camel around the pyramids in Egypt. He was born and raised a farmer, and later in life enjoyed Sunday dinners with family and still taking care of his cows.

He is survived by 2 Daughters - Carla Coury – New Orleans, Louisiana; & Diane (Craig) Wilson – Litchfield, Illinois; 2 Sons - Dale (Debbie) Graves – Litchfield, Illinois; Darren (fiance’ Lisa Costin) – Staunton, Illinois;  11 Grandchildren - Bethany (Eric) Paulson – New Orleans, Louisiana; Ben (Megan) Culp – Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Nathan (Pamela) Culp – Wilmington, North Carolina; Gregory Culp – Augusta, Georgia; Danny Kovaly (& Ann) – Alhambra, Illinois; Elizabeth Willis – St. Louis, Missouri; Miranda (Shaun) Martin – St. Louis, Missouri; Dalton Graves – Staunton, Illinois; Grace Graves – Staunton, Illinois; Jackson Wilson – Litchfield, Illinois; Cooper Wilson – Litchfield, Illinois; 7 Great Grandchildren - Beau Willis, Emmet Paulsen, Julia Culp, Wesley Culp, Owen Culp, Clayton Culp, & Natalie Martin; 2 Sisters - Martha Beauchamp – Colorado; & Shirley Stinchcomb – Wyoming; 2 Brothers - Larry Graves – Staunton, Illinois and Merle Graves – South Dakota. Numerous Nieces & Nephews also survive. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a son-in-law.

Friends may call Saturday, September 21, 2019  from 9 AM to 11 AM at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton. Funeral services will follow at 11 AM at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton with Rev. Nancy Hubert officiating. Burial will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery in Staunton. Memorials are suggested to the Gary Sinise Foundation – “We serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, & those in need.”

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