- Date Of Birth: January 26, 1922
- Date Of Death: February 19, 2011
- State: Illinois
Richard “Dick” Handy, 89, of Virginia, IL died Saturday, February 19, 2011 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, IL.
He was born January 26, 1922 in Auburn, IL; the son of George and Elsie Henderson Handy. He married Katherine Manley on January 15, 1949 in Springfield, IL and she preceded him in death on December 19, 1982. He later married Betty Simpson Scofield on December 13, 1986 in Palmyra, IL and she survives.
He is also survived by four children and three step children along with their families. His son, David Handy (wife, Ronda) of Ashland and their children, Jennifer Handy of Dublin, CA; Monica Handy Cookson (husband, Dusty) of Jacksonville and their daughters, Chloe and Clara; Brad Handy of Ashland; and Caleb Richard Handy of Athens. His daughter, Janet Martin (deceased husband, Gary) of Virginia and their daughters, Denise Walker (companion, Greg Wheeler) of Rochester and their daughters, Olivia and Sophie Wheeler; and DeAnn Martin of Chatham. His son, Jack Handy (wife, Lynn) of Springfield and their daughters, Jessica Handy of Springfield and her daughter, Natasha Handy; and Kate Handy of Springfield. His son, Steve Handy of Springfield and his son, Grant Handy of Springfield. His step daughter, Sheryl Scofield Travis of Valrico, FL and her son, Arieas Travis of Valrico, FL. His step son, David Scofield of Clearwater, FL. His step daughter, Kim Scofield Clifton (husband, Rex L.) of Chandlerville and their daughter, Dana Rouse Qualls of Virden and her son, Silas Qualls.
He is also survived by two sisters, Beulah Crouch (husband, Lloyd) of Girard and Mildred Turner (husband, Don) of Modesto; a brother, Don Handy (wife, Margaret) of DuQuoin; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; and four brothers, Harold, Carl, Dennis and Kenneth (surviving wife, Dorothy of Chatham) Handy.
A 1942 graduate of Waverly High School and a basketball and football standout, Dick set a school basketball record in 1942 by scoring 39 points in a game against Hettick. He attended Western Illinois University where he continued playing football before joining the US Navy. During his Navy years, he attended Mercer University in Macon, GA where he continued playing basketball.
He began his lifelong career in agriculture in Modesto from 1949-1954 and in Waverly from 1954-1959 before relocating in Virginia in 1959 to farm until retirement.
In 1983 he began wintering in the Rio Grande Valley area of Texas and eventually purchase a home in Harlingen. An avid sports enthusiast, he loved attending auctions and trading in antiques. He was extremely knowledgeable about coins, currency and Illinois pocket watches. He enjoyed spending time with his family and his two dachshunds, Shiloh and Heidi.
