 |
George W. 'Bill' Lockin Benton, IL QCWA # 24475 Chapter 179 |
Longtime Benton resident, George W. “Bill” Lockin, 93, passed away peacefully on Monday, Nov. 14, 2016, after a brief illness. Bill was living in Brentwood, Tennessee, at the time of his death. Bill is a native of Berea, Kentucky, born on Aug. 28, 1923, to Earl Wyman and Mary Jane Lockin. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Earl Wyman Lockin Jr. and his wife of 67 years, Elwanda Dalton Lockin. After serving his country for five years, Bill returned to the University of Kentucky to complete his education, graduating with a master’s degree in mining engineering. Upon graduation, Bill was hired by Inland Steel Coal Company in Wheelwright, Kentucky, where he worked for 31 years. In 1966, Inland moved operations to Southern Illinois where Bill held several management positions at the Sesser and McLeansboro mines. He retired in 1982 as the mine manager of Inland Steel 2 in McLeansboro. Bill and his wife, Wanda, enjoyed camping in their Airstream camper and were members of the Wally Byam Airstream Caravan Club in Southern Illinois. He was also an active member of the Lion’s Club International, Methodist Men, Benton Booster Club, Benton American Legion, and an active amateur radio operator.
An incredible and dedicated husband, father, and grandfather, Bill was loved and adored by his children, David William Lockin (wife Jennifer Ryan Lockin) of Lilburn, Georgia, daughter, Karen Lockin Bachus of Rome, Georgia, and daughter Jane Lockin Hutson (husband John Hutson) of Brentwood,Tennessee; grandchildren, Matthew Lockin (wife Melissa Lockin) of Phoenix, Arizona, Jonathan Lockin of Lilburn, Georgia, Avery Bachus of Marietta, Georgia, Madelyn Hutson of Providence, Rhode Island, and Kathryn Hutson of Brentwood, Tennessee. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, in Benton First United Methodist Church at 203 Church St., in Benton. The eulogy will be given by Jim Muir and the service will be officiated by Mark Minor.
Visitation with the family will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, with a military internment at Masonic- Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.