Billy DeBoard

Billy M. DeBoard

Age 61 of Wilmington, passed away Sunday April 10, 2011 at home surrounded by his family.

Born December 31, 1949 in Trumann, Arkansas, Billy was a son of the late Andrew Jackson and Adele Catlett-DeBoard. He was raised and educated in Wilmington and was a graduate of Wilmington High School. Billy was a veteran of the United States Army and proudly served during the Vietnam Conflict. After the service he went to work for Fisher Body Company and later gained employment with Caterpillar Tractor Company in Joliet, where he worked as an electrician, retiring in 2005 after 35 years of service. Billy also previously held employment with Akzo Chemical, as well as owned and operated DeBoard's Electric. On July 14, 1975, Billy married Nancy "Char" (nee Brown) in Joliet and together they lived in Wilmington their entire married life. Billy was a member of Island City Baptist Church in Wilmington, former member of the Wilmington Moose Lodge and belonged to IBEW Local #176. He can be remembered for his love of fishing, the outdoors and yard work. Billy enjoyed bike riding with the kids and in his free time loved tinkering in the garage and working on cars.

The family wishes to extend their most sincere appreciation for the compassion and attention provided by Dr. Mark Christensen with Lincoln-way Medical, Dr. Sandeep Chunduri with Univeristy of Illinois at Chicago and the doctors, nurses and staff at Midwest Oncology. The kind care of the nurses and entire staff at Silver Cross Hospital, will also be remembered always.

Survivors include his Children: Chad Taylor (Robert Maihofer) of Chicago, Tamura Geiss (Mickey) and Deanna McDowell (Shawn), both of Wilmington, Donna Richmond (Fred) of Union Hill and Billy "Mitch" DeBoard, Jr. of Wilmington; eleven grandchildren: Travis Geiss, Dillon Geiss, Shane Geiss, Blake Geiss, Sarah McDowell, Taylor McDowell, Meghan McDowell, Rebecca Rathbun, Alexis Richmond, Billy Mason DeBoard, III and Nevaeh DeBoard; brothers and sisters: Charles Andrew DeBoard, Alice Futch, Wayne (Cindy) DeBoard, Virginia (Stacy) Powers, Michael (Sandy) DeBoard, James (Delores) DeBoard and Jeff (Kathy) DeBoard; brothers and sisters-in-law: Marvin Brown, Colleen Brown, Wade Brown and Carol (Steve) Sarnowski; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as his special companion Shelby.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents Andrew Jackson and Adele Catlett DeBoard; wife Nancy "Char" DeBoard on March 24, 2011; daughter Shannon Fortune; brothers and sisters: Naydene Estelle, Etta Powers, Margaret DeBoard, Joseph DeBoard and Ronnie DeBoard and brother-in-law Mark Brown.

Visitation and Video Tribute will be held on Wednesday April 13, 2011 between the hours of 4:00PM and 8:00PM at Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington. Funeral services will follow Thursday morning, April 14th at 10:00AM in the funeral home with Pastor Ron Taylor from Island City Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Wilmington and pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be: Billy M. DeBoard, Jr., Shawn McDowell, Mickey Geiss, Fred Richmond, Dillon Geiss, Chad Taylor, Rob Maihofer and Travis Geiss.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Billy's memory to the American Cancer Society, 17060 Oak Park Avenue, Tinley Park, Illinois 60477 or Vitas Hospice, 3033 West Jefferson Suite 204, Joliet, IL 60435

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.FRBfuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington. (815/476-2181)