Willard Ashley Nail, age 92, longtime resident of O'Fallon, born August 1, 1920 in Hillsboro, Ill., to James Albert and Anna, nee Ziegley, Nail, passed away Monday, October 8, 2012 at his home at Cedarhurst Assisted Living in Shiloh, Ill.

As part of the Greatest Generation, Mr. Nail was an Army veteran of World War II, serving with the 565th Infantry in the European Theater. He fought in the largest battle of the war, the Battle of the Bulge. Upon his return home, he soon married Monica Josephine Lampe on August 17, 1946 at the St. Clare Catholic Church rectory. Mr. Nail worked as a diesel mechanic for Collinsville Equipment Company, retiring after more than 25 years with the company. He eagerly resumed working in his mechanic position at Fairmont Race Track, and later through the 1990s until just a few years ago, as courier for Benedick Title Insurance in O'Fallon. He was a member of Senior Citizen's Club of O'Fallon and St. Nicholas Church. He was a former member of St Clare parish and O'Fallon VFW Post 805.

Mr. Nail's military service had been honored by the Franklin Elementary School in Belleville, located in a neighborhood that the Nail family supports through volunteerism and mentoring. Because of his affection for the children in the Franklin Neighborhood, memorial donations are suggested to the Franklin Neighborhood Community Association, 308 N. 2nd St., Belleville, IL 62220, or donations may be delivered to the funeral home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, Monica, who died September 19, 2001; an infant son Edward; an infant great grandson Nathaniel Wynne; son-in-law Charles Kramer; brother Lancey "Eddie" Nail, and sisters Marie Keck, Virginia White, and Letty Gordon.

Surviving are his children, Sandra (Charles) Wynne of Fort Washington, Md., Marlene Kramer of Laguna Niguel, Calif., Linda (Thomas) Benedick of Shiloh, and Joseph (Linda) Nail of O'Fallon; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sisters Viola (Kenneth) Carson of O'Fallon, and Betty Woods of O'Fallon.

Visitation: Friends may call from 9:00 – 11:30 am, Saturday, November 3, 2012 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, O'Fallon. The Senior Citizen's Club of O'Fallon will conduct a walk-through at 10:30 am.

Funeral: Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 am, Saturday, November 3, 2012, at the church, with Msgr. William Hitpas presiding. Military rites will be accorded. Mr. Nail's generosity in life continues even in death, as he has chosen to donate his body for scientific research to St. Louis University School of Medicine.

Special thanks to the staff and friends at Cedarhurst in Shiloh, who loved him dearly.