William Edward Tolliver, age 90, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.

      He was born July 28, 1935, in Xenia, the son of Lloyd Jacob and Thelma Pauline (Colclasure) Tolliver.  He was united in marriage to Alice Lyvonne Jackson on December 29, 1960, at Oak Mound Church and together they shared 58 years of marriage until her passing on February 13, 2019.

      Bill worked at the chicken factory when he was younger.  During the Korean War, he served his country in the U.S. Army with the 4th Cavalry.  After his service, he began working as a mechanic at Wilson’s and later at Dawkins Auto Sales in Louisville.  Eventually, he opened his own garage at home, and even after he started working for Ray Rutland, he continued working out of his garage as well.  Known throughout the county for his mechanic skills, Bill was the person many turned to when something needed to be fixed.

      Bill had attended Xenia Christian Church.  He enjoyed watching trains go by the house and loved to read his Bible.  Some of his favorite moments were listening to stories from his grandkids, visiting with his good friends, Roy Feldhake and Todd Bradham, and taking long country drives.  Bill also had a tender heart for animals—especially “Miss Kitty,” who adopted him.  Even though Bill didn’t claim her as his own, he always made sure she was fed.

      He is survived by his daughters: Tina Coleman of Shelbyville and Deborah Tolliver of Flora; former daughters-in-law: Julie Adams and Schiela (Steve) Wilson; former sons-in-law: Rick Pearce, Frank Felty (Lisa Rosch), and Jim (Angie) Coleman; grandchildren: Tiffany Carlyle (Denny Morgan), Scott Tolliver, Shawn Tolliver, Ashlee (Blake) Knearem, Damien Coleman, Ryan Pearce (Levaughn Lucas), Victoria (Lance) Warren, Charity Adams (Bobby Stevens), and Josiah Adams (Sarah Zink); great-grandchildren: Steven Carlyle (Cathy Cooper-Ferguson), Jared Carlyle, Nick Carlyle, Braxton Guinn, Alex Guinn, Clayton Guinn, Loralei Griffith, Zepplin Tolliver, Landen Back (Rae Ann Smith), Malachi Tolliver (Alyssa Deliege), Ezmae Tolliver, Breyden Knearem, Delia Knearem, Rayne McCallister, Ronin Adams, Lydia Seigler, Liam Adams, Lizabeth Adams, and Anthony Lee; siblings: Jim Tolliver, Betty “Jo” Trotter, Mary Patricia “Pat” (Xon) Harrell, Jack Tolliver, and Polly Tolliver; and several nieces and nephews.

      He was preceded in passing by his parents; wife; a daughter: Tanya Tolliver; a son: Daniel “Danny” Tolliver; and siblings: Leslie Roger “Tom” Tolliver, Donald Tolliver, Sally Senters, Susie Senters, and John Robert Tolliver.

      A funeral ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora with Pastor Bruce Horsley officiating.  Interment will follow in Oak Mound Cemetery, Xenia.  A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.  Memorial donations are suggested to the family to assist with final expenses, and these will be accepted through the funeral home.  To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com