Lester P. “Goldie” Archer, Jr., 79, of Peoria, passed away at 2:26 a.m. on Sunday, January 29, 2012, at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 2, 2012, at Clary Funeral Home, 3004 West Lake Avenue in Peoria. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 1, 2012, also at the funeral home. Interment will be at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield. Goldie was born in Peoria on April 11, 1932, a son Lester Percy Archer Sr. and Helena “Helen” (Kirk) Goldring-Archer-Todd. They preceded him in death, along with three brothers and two sisters. He married Lois Faye (Wagner) Kiddy on June 27, 1958 in Peoria. He later married Opal (Fortner) Cloud on February 16, 1967 in Peoria. Goldie is survived by his son, Lester P. “Butch” (Beverly) Archer III of Gainesville, FL; stepsons, Ray (Doris) Cloud of Peoria and Robert Cloud of Oxford, MS; stepdaughters, Shelley (Ron) Grimm of Peoria, Jean Tucker of East Peoria, and Shirley Morrow of Mississippi; niece, Sherry June Goldring of Canton; and nephews, Bill (Cathy) Goldring of Spring Lake, David Goldring of Canton and Stephen (Edie) Goldring of Canton. He was a U.S. Army Korean War veteran, serving from November 10, 1952 to November 5, 1954. He earned the rank of Sergeant and was awarded the Korean Service Ribbon with one Bronze Star, the United Nations Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Goldie was a self-employed carpenter through Carpenters Union Local 183 in East Peoria and was the former owner of Goldie’s Sit & Sip and the Anchor Club. He later co-owned and operated KWH & A Builders, with his long-time friend, Kenny Hicks.
| Bob Burns |
Friend |
February 2, 2012 |
Lester P. was always kind of a friendly nemisis to me ! He used to complain about my long hair when Ray and I were kids and hung out together. Years later though, the tables were turned as he was the one with the long hair, and mine was cut short !!! I used to get alot of mileage out of that !
Just wanted to say hello to Ray, Bobbie, and Shirley. I am sorry for your loss. Lester was a pretty good guy.
I am back living in the house on Courtland in West Peoria Ray. Remeber where that is ? We used to take turns staying at each others houses overnight, mostly yours though .
| Curtis Aycock |
You were a great guy...RIP |
February 2, 2012 |
Les... Im sorely going to miss you. I first met Les at the Anchor Club bar through my aunt who was a bartender there and through Kenny Hicks. After getting to know Goldie, he became one of those people who you thought the world of. He helped teach me how to play shuffleboard and through him I got to know several other GREAT people like Stan Stevens, Noel Melton Sr, and the list could go on and on. Always ready with a story and a smile, Les also had a great sense of humor and a dedication to his friends. You knew that Les would go that extra mile with you and for you if you needed help of any kind. Im a much better person for having met Goldie and being a friend of his. RIP in peace my friend... You WILL be missed
| Kim Stull |
RIP ARCH |
February 1, 2012 |
RIP LES.. you were a great man and always took care of my dad! You will be greatly missed!
| KENNY AND WANDZA STULL |
WE WILL MISS YOU!!! R.I.P. ARCH |
February 1, 2012 |
KENNY HAD WORKED WITH ARCH FOR 20 YEARS OFF AND ON. HE HAS TOLD ME GREAT STORIES ABOUT HIM..THEY HAD GOOD DAYS AND BAD DAYS! ARCH TAUGHT HIM HOW TO PLAY SHUFFLE BOARD,THEN KENNY WOULD HAVE ARCH PLAY POOL...I GOT THE CHANCE TO SEE SEVERAL HOMES THAT KENNY AND ARCH BUILT AND THEY LOOK AWESOME..THEY WERE A GOOD TEAM! IT WAS PLEASURE TO GET TO NO ARCH HE WAS A GREAT MAN..HE WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR ANYONE! WE WILL MISS YOU!!!! R.I.P. ARCH...
| GENO LYONS |
MY HEART FELT CONDOLENCES |
February 1, 2012 |
Knowing GOLDIE was a one of a kind experience, as GOLDIE was a one of a kind guy and friend! He always had something to talk about and his great memory of the past ment a good story was coming next. He was always helping people in need and let them pay when they could when they didn't have money then. He looked at our house plans and said, if we change this and do that, I can save you some money and build you a better and more beautiful home, and he did. Because of GOLDIE and Kenny, we have one of the greatest and most beautiful houses in the world, not to mention that a part of GOLDIE is built in forever. I will miss GOLDIE, seeing him and listening to his stories, as there will never be another "GOLDIE"! He will be missed by many.
