William “Bill” Taylor Blackburn, 90, formerly of Coffeen, Illinois; passed away Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 7:25 a.m. at Montgomery Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Taylor Springs, Illinois. Visitation for Mr. Blackburn will be held on Monday, October 7, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Toberman-Dean Funeral Home in Coffeen, Illinois. Graveside service will follow at Green Hill Cemetery in Van Burensburg, Illinois. Rev. Roy Eller, Pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Rural Litchfield will officiate.

Mr. Blackburn was born on August 6, 1934 in Coffeen, Illinois to the late George and Fairy (White) Blackburn. He was a 1954 graduate of Coffeen High School and continued to live in the Coffeen area his entire life. He pursued a career with the Illinois Department of Transportation and retired after 26 dedicated years. On July 17, 1954, Bill married Melbourine Bess at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Coffeen; they had celebrated 67 years of marriage in 2021, before Melbourine preceded in 2022. Bill was a member of the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Coffeen, Masonic Lodge, and Hillsboro Country Club. He also played for and managed the Coffeen Road Runners fast pitch softball team. He thoroughly enjoyed golfing, quail hunting, and spending time with his family. Bill treasured fishing with his grandkids and creating memories that would last a lifetime.

Mr. Blackburn is survived by his two children, Bob (wife, Kim) Blackburn of Chapman, Illinois and Debby (husband, Larry) Yeske of Irving, Illinois; four grandchildren, Taylor (wife Jessie) Blackburn of Hillsboro, Illinois, Lacy (husband, Daniel) Kimbro of Hillsboro, Illinois, Kyle (wife, Neely) Yeske of Irving, Illinois, and Cody Hodges of Hillsboro, Illinois; 8 great-grandchildren, Jossalyn Kimbro, Killian Kimbro, Ethan Blackburn, Liam Blackburn, Will Yeske, Alex Yeske, Sophia Blankenship, and Brooklyn Fisher; sister, Connie (husband, John “Jack”) Henrikson of Coffeen, Illinois; Sister-in-Law Diane Blackburn of Ramsey, Illinois, Janet Blackburn of Fillmore, Illinois, and Sharon Blackburn of Coffeen, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded by his parents, wife, granddaughter, Dana Hodges-Denny and siblings; Bobbie Alvin Blackburn, Janice Kay Mesnard, George Lamion Blackburn, Norman Blackburn and Orville Dean Blackburn.

Memorials are suggested to Hillsboro Youth Sports or Hillsboro Sports Association.