W. Charles "Charlie" Etchason 86 of Urbana died at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 01, 2014 at the Illinois Knights Templar Home, Paxton.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 7, 2014 at Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory, Urbana, Hank Sanford will officiate. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens, Champaign, with military rites. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Sunday, July 6, 2014 at the funeral home with Masonic Rites at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, conducted by Urbana Masonic Lodge #157 A.F. & A.M.

Mr. Etchason was born on January 16, 1928 in Gary, Indiana, the son of William Cletus and Mary Alice Meares Etchason. He married Beulah Chapman on October 8, 1949 in Arcola; she died on June 19, 1997.

Survivors include two sons; John D. (Debra) Etchason of Paxton and Mark E. (Wanda) Etchason of Houston, Missouri, one brother; Howard Carl (Siby) Etchason of Mattoon, one sister-in-law; Ilene Etchason of Nashville, six grandchildren; Jennifer Etchason of Clinton, Jill Elsey of Paxton, Dawn Etchason of Bolingbrook and Jeremy Stockwell of Tipton, Missouri and five great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one brother; James Nathan Etchason.

Mr. Etchason was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII and the Korean Conflict.

He retired as an Engineer for the Illinois Central Railroad and Amtrak.

Mr. Etchason was a member of First Christian Church, Champaign, Urbana Masonic Lodge #157 A.F. & A.M., Edgewood Masonic Lodge #484, A.A.S.R. Valley of Danville, Champaign-Urbana York Rite Bodies, Ansar Shrine Temple, Illini Shrine Club, Royal Jesters, Amaranth, True Kindred and the VFW of Urbana.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children.

Condolences may be offered at www.rennerwikoffchapel.com.