NEOGA - William Jack "Bill" Gentry, 66, of rural Neoga, Illinois, passed away at 3:00 A.M., Monday, November 29, 2010, at his mother's residence in Neoga, Illinois. Bill was born January 6, 1944 in Mattoon, Illinois, the son of Wm. Elmer and Mildred ( Oakley ) Gentry. Bill married Francine Kroft on November 30, 1962, in Neoga, Illinois. He was 1962 graduate of Neoga High School, a member of the National Rifle Assoc., and the S.A.S.S. Cowboy Single Action Shooting Society.
Bill leaves his wife Francine of rural Neoga, IL; mother, Mildred Gentry of Neoga, Il; three children Julie Williamson and husband Brett of Neoga, Il, Amy Gerges and husband Anwar of San Antonio, TX, and Wm. Ross Gentry and wife Amanda of Neoga, IL; nine grandchildren, Bart Williamson and wife Misty of Shelbyville, IL, Ted Williamson of Findlay, IL, Solomon Gerges, Wm. Abraham Gerges, Grace Gerges and Isaac Gerges all of San Antonio, TX, Lydia Gentry, Piper Gentry and Wm. Josiah Gentry all of Neoga, IL; one great grandson, Braxton Williamson of Shelbyville, IL. Bill was preceded in death by his father, Wm. Elmer Gentry.
Bill loved his grandchildren and his family very much. He answered to Bill, Willy, Billy Jack, Dad, Paw Paw, Grandpa, Boppy, and his cowboy name, Bill Tilghman. His life's passion was to buy, sell and trade and he also had a passion for bullet making, re-loading shells and shooting.
In lieu of flowers the family suggest memorials to the Crossroads Cancer Center, 905 Medical Park Dr., Effingham, IL 62401. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 2, 2010, in the Swengel - O'Dell Funeral Home of Neoga, with the Rev. Richard Coen of Neoga, and the Rev. Virgil Baker of Mattoon, officiating. Visitation will be held from 3:30 P.M., to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 1, 2010, at the Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Neoga Memorial Cemetery of Neoga, Illinois.
