William L. "Billy" Blackwell (55) of Vandalia

William L. ‘Billy’ Blackwell, 55, of Vandalia, died at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, July 18, 2020 at HSHS St. John’s Hospital, Springfield.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 24, 2020 at Gieseking Funeral Home, Brownstown with Rev. Joe Lawson officiating. Burial will follow at Griffith Cemetery, Brownstown with military rites by the Crawford-Hale American Legion Post #95, Vandalia and VFW Post #9770, Brownstown. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until service time on Friday. Memorials may be made to the family. It is recommended that guidelines set forth by the Center for Disease Control and Illinois Department of Public Health as they relate to COVID-19 be followed. This includes but is not limited to face covering and social distancing which will be required. During the visitation, only 50 people will be admitted at a time. Please be respectful of others.

Billy was born on Wednesday, March 3, 1965 in Vandalia, IL to William and Margaret (Leininger) Blackwell. He was an Army veteran and member of the Vandalia Moose Lodge. He loved Harley Davidson motorcycles, boats, hunting, fishing, dancing, the Dallas Cowboys and was proud of his Cherokee heritage. He’ll forever be dancing in our hearts.

He is survived by his father and stepmother, William (Panzi) Blackwell, Brownstown; mother and stepfather, Margaret (Steve) Genn, Alma; sons, Bo Blackwell and Alex Blackwell, Vandalia; daughters, Stephanie Blackwell, South Roxana, Alexis Blackwell, Vandalia, Makayla Blackwell, Vandalia; brothers, Todd (Nancy) Blackwell, Brownstown and Jim (Sarah) Depew, Springfield; sisters, Lisa (Fred) Coleman, Donnelson, Jennifer (Trent) Logue, St. Elmo, Jill (Don) Jenkins, Florida and grandchildren, Gabriel, Greyson, Christian, Kaden, Addison, Braxton, Max and Emyalisse and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Billy was preceded in death by his grandparents and sister, Cora Blackwell.

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