Orville Ray Bigham's Obituary
Orville Ray Bigham, age 82, of Pinckneyville, IL, passed away on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at 9:45 p.m. in Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, Carbondale, IL. "And on the 8th day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, 'I need a caretaker.' So God made a farmer." We have now lost an incomparable one of God's caretakers. Orville was born in Pinckneyville, IL on April 25, 1934. His father, Roy M. Bigham, was a farmer. His mother, Clara B. Bigham (née Hamilton), was the founder and sole teacher at the Bigham Family School. Orville attended Pinckneyville High School until his junior year, when he left school to assist his father on the farm. Spurred by his pervasive desire to complete any task he began, Orville returned to high school and graduated in 1953. He was a proud veteran of the United States Army. Orville married the love of his life, Doris Bigham (née Woodside), on June 16, 1956. His passing occurred just two days shy of their 60th wedding anniversary. The quintessential farmer's wife, Doris helped Orville manage and operate a grain and dairy farm in Pinckneyville. Together with his brother, Roy Dean Bigham, their determined and unwavering work ethic helped them build a farm with humble beginnings into an expansive operation known throughout southern Illinois as Bigham Brother's Farms. Will Rodgers once said that "the farmer has to be an optimist or he wouldn't still be a farmer." Orville was an eternal optimist whose respectful and personable nature ensured that he never met a stranger. In addition to farming, Orville served as road commissioner for his district for 30 years. As a testament to his skill, integrity, and consummate pursuit of perfection, the roads over which Orville was commissioner are still in exceptional condition today, nearly 15 years after his service as road commissioner ended. He had also served as Farm Bureau Director for over 20 years and was a Mason. He enjoyed watching Panther Basketball and his grandchildren play sports. Orville attended church at Galum Presbyterian Church in rural Pinckneyville until 1970. For the last 46 years, Orville has been a member of the First Baptist Church in Pinckneyville. Orville is survived by his wife, Doris Bigham of Pinckneyville, IL; his son, David (Nancy) Bigham of Pinckneyville, IL; daughter, Janice (Gregg) Lamb of Hermann, MO; six grandchildren; Julie Lamb of Pinckneyville, IL, Matthew Bigham of St. Louis, MO, Rebecca Lamb of Spartanburg, SC, Kelsey Bigham of Nashville, TN, Kyle Lamb of St. Louis, MO, and Alexis Bigham of Pinckneyville, IL; a sister-in-law, Irma Bigham of Vergennes, IL; and several nieces and nephews. Orville is preceded in death by his parents and two siblings; Roy Dean Bigham and Margaret Leehy. Funeral services will be held at Beaucoup Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, IL on Thursday, June 16, 2016 at 11:30 a.m. with Brother Mark Lee officiating. Interment will be in Galum Presbyterian Cemetery, Pinckneyville, IL. Friends may call at Beaucoup Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, IL on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to Galum Presbyterian Cemetery or American Stroke Association. Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, IL is in charge of arrangements.
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