Larry "Shorty" William George

Larry William "Shorty" George, age 74, of Centralia, Illinois, passed away at 5:30 P.M. on Tuesday, August 2, 2022, at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon, Illinois.  He was born on September 23, 1947, in Corinth, Mississippi, the son of J.R. and Helen Mae (Patters) George.  He married Linda Gail Cox in May of 1998, and she preceded him in death on March 23, 2017.

Larry’s memories are cherished by his family; son, Michael Lee Tunnell and wife Tamela of Decatur, Illinois; daughter, Darlene Flanigan and significant other Shawn Richards of Centralia, Illinois: grandchildren, Donald Gordon, Jr., Deana Tunnell, Joy Livesay, Evejo Gordon, Eric Tunnell, Aaron Gordon, and Hannan Smith and husband Onis; 20 great-grandchildren; sister, Tujuannah Patrick and Charles of Garland, Texas; and half-brother, Shane George of California.

In addition to his loving wife of 18 years, Larry was preceded in death by his parents, J.R. George and Helen George; daughter, Linda Kay Simmons; granddaughter, Alicia Marie Tunnell; brother, Tommy George; and sister Teresa George.

Larry was of the Christian faith.  He trained in the U.S. Marine Corps, and was entered in the U.S. Army.  He was a tunnel rat proudly serving his country during the Vietnam War.  Larry was involved with Veteran of Foreign Wars Post in Willows, California, and volunteered at a food pantry in Willows, California.  He was completely devoted to his late wife and family.

Larry retired in 2016 after being a truck driver on the roads for his whole life.  He was a truck driver for Watkins Trucking Company in Memphis, Tennessee for many years.  He recently moved to Centralia, Illinois, to live with his daughter, and he formerly lived in Willows, California.

It was the wishes of Mr. Larry William George to leave this world quietly with no public visitation or service.  The family will have private services at a later date in Shiloh National Military Park in Shiloh, Tennessee.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Larry’s honor to Centralia Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 2055 in Centralia, Illinois, and may be received by the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home at 134 South Elm Street in Centralia, Illinois 62801. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, or share memories with Mr. George’s family at www.moranfuneralhome.net.

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