William Sherman Coons, son of John Martin and Amanda Catherine (Boyer) Coons
was born in Dolson township, Clark County, Illinois, February 25, 1865.  He
grew to young manhood in this county, completing his work in the public
schools and at the age of eighteen received a license to teach.  After
teaching a few terms, he attended normal school at Danville, Indiana, and
later at Old Austin College in Effingham, Illinois, where he completed the
four year teacher's course and he continued to teach in the school of Clark

County until 1904.

He was converted early in life and felt the call to the Gospel Ministry and
united with the Green Moss Methodist Episcopal church, but later having come
to Clark Center, he transferred his membership to the Methodist Protestant
church at that place and while still teaching he pursued a course of study
for the ministry and having completed this he was received as a member of
the South Illinois Conference, Methodit Protestant and ordained an Elder in
the Fall of 1904, and was assigned to Odin Circuit.  He served this charge
successfully until 1907, when he was elected to the presidency of his
conference and traveled this district for one year.  In the fall of 1908,
his wife having died, he resigned this position and transferred to Indiana
Conference and served as a pastor here and one year in Ohio.  In the fall of
1916, he retired from the active minitry and moved to Toledo, Ohio, where he
has since resided.

March 22, 1891 he was united in marriage to Mary E. Wiles who died February
23, 1906.  To this union were born five children.  The oldest one, Carrie,
died when she was about eighteen months old.  Another, a twin to Lela, died
in infancy, and Mary of precious memory, died August 11, 1936.

He was the oldest of a family of thirteen and is survived by three brothers,
I. Frank Coons of Decatur, Illinois; Rev. John Coons of Herbat, indiana; and
Jacob A. Coons of West Terre Haute, Indiana.  Three sisters, Mrs. Alice
Lowry of Charleston, Illinois; Mrs. cora E. Bradley of Clark Center and Mrs.
Ida McNary of Martinsville, a daughter, Mrs. Lola Bryan of Toledo, Ohio, a
son Kenneth, of Detroit, Michigan, three grandchildren and a number of
nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends who will mourn his going.

He was again united in marriage to Susan Bentz who also died March 22, 1929.
Since her death he has remained a widower.

His going at this time was entirely unexpected.  He lay down to sleep as
usual in his bed and the Death Angel passed by and he sleeps that "Sleep in
Jesus from which none ever wake to weep."  The days of his earthly
pilgrimage was 72 years, 5 months and 2 days.  The funeral services were
conducted from the Clark Center Methodist Protestant church by the pastor,
and old friend, Rev. Elija E. Wesley of Pinkstaff, Illinois, and his body
was laid to rest in the cemetery near by.  Though death came without
warning, he was found watching.  Since youn manhood he had been a Christian
and during these latter years, although retired from the Ministry, he was
regular in attendance at the place of worship and faithful in his church

work.

"How precious to those who love Jesus is the hope of Heaven.  O' how sweet
it will be on that beautiful shore.  So free from all sorrow and pain.  With
songs on our lips and with harps in our hands, to meet one another again."

Submitted by;
Cindy McCachern