Bill Blackburn's Obituary
Bill W. Blackburn, 74, passed away suddenly on Thursday, August 2, 2012. He is survived by his wife, Maynor O. Blackburn; daughters, Sherri (Chris) Hunter and Teri (David) Ford; sister, Susie Ingalls; brother, Charles Blackburn; grandchildren, Madison, Emily, Pearson, and Nathan Hunter; Anderson and Jackson Ford. He was preceded in death by his brother, Glenn Blackburn and his sister, Mozelle Blackburn Anderson. Bill was born May 11, 1938, in Humboldt, Tennessee, to the late Tollie M. Blackburn and Willie Ada Weatherspoon Blackburn. He graduated from Humboldt High School in 1956 and Draughon’s Business College in Memphis in 1958. Bill served in the U.S. Army in San Antonio, TX from 1962-1964. He later attended Memphis State University, graduating in 1971, with a Bachelors of Business Administration in Accounting and attained his Certified Public Accountant license and certification in 1972. Bill became a member of the Tennessee Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs in 1973. He began his employment with Malco Theaters in 1970 and was the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at the time of his death. Bill was tirelessly dedicated to his employer and thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of his job and the people who surrounded and supported him daily. If Bill was asked by family or friends, why he chose not to retire, given his 42 years of service, he would quickly laugh and respond “Why should I? I love my job and I guess I will stay as long as they’ll have me.” Bill married Maynor Estes on August 30, 1959 in Tupelo, Mississippi. He met Maynor the year before at the local Dairy Queen in Tupelo and immediately told his friends that he had met the woman he was going to marry. Maynor was the love of his life. He adored her and spent the next 53 years demonstrating that love to her daily and enjoying life’s adventures with her. They were blessed with two daughters, Sherri Renee, on May 25, 1967, and Teresa (Teri) Lynne, on Oct 15, 1970. Together, the family enjoyed many lake and beach vacations. They loved being together and creating family memories that will last a lifetime. Bill’s other passion was bowling, a pastime which he started in 1959 and was an avid participant until his death. He shared this love with Maynor. Bill became an active participant in multiple bowling leagues and associations throughout Memphis and the Mid-South. Beginning in 1976, Bill was elected to the Board of Directors for the Memphis Area US Bowling Congress (USBC). He served as Secretary from 1978-1990 and again from 1996 to the present. He was made a lifetime member in 1987 and inducted into the Memphis Hall of Fame in 1989 for Meritorious Service. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Tennessee State USBC beginning in 1979. He served as Vice President in 1979 and President from 1990-1991. He became a life member in 1989 and was inducted into the Tennessee State USBC Hall of Fame in 1995 for Meritorious Service. In the late 80s, Bill became involved with the Southern Bowling Congress (SBC), serving as Vice President in 1989 and President in 1991. At the time of his death, he was serving as SBC Executive Director. He was made a lifetime member in 1991 and also inducted into the SBC Hall of Fame. Bill was truly dedicated to the sport of bowling, whether he was helping a bowler, a lead officer, a bowling center proprietor or seeing to tournament details, he always gave no less than 110%. He was the hub that drove the sport of bowling in our area and will be sorely missed by the sport and bowlers throughout the Mid South. Over the course of Bill’s bowling “career”, he also participated in 34 consecutive USBC National Tournaments and multiple local, state, and regional tournaments. Bill was very proud of his achievement of a perfect 300 bowling game, as well as two games of 290, a 298 game, and a 299 game. Visitation will be Tuesday, August 7 from 5 – 8 pm with services Wednesday, August 8, at 1 pm. Both events will be held at Memorial Park Funeral Home The family requests that memorials be directed to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation 498 Halle Park St. 102, Collierville, TN 38017.
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