Bill J. Blackmon, formerly of Odessa, Texas, passed away Tuesday, October 30, 2012, at the age of 84, at his home in Gordon, Texas after a brief illness. Bill was born on December 28, 1927 to Charles and Stella Blackmon in Vernon, Texas. He was raised and graduated from high school in Vernon, joined the Navy just after his eighteenth birthday, and saw much of the world during his service. After an honorable discharge from the Navy, Bill returned to Texas to pursue his business interests, and graduated from Odessa College.
He was known for decades in West Texas and the Permian Basin as the principal of oilfield companies Bob’s Casing Crews, Inc. and EMCO Machine Works Co., Inc., and a local bank director. He also owned a variety of commercial real estate interests in the area, and he built one of the largest ranches in Texas under the Letter b Ranch brand. For many years, Bill bred and raised thousands of cattle, and bred and owned numerous championship race horses, cutting horses, and show horses. He was also recognized for his outstanding conservation efforts as a rancher. Bill was a faithful and long-time member of Belmont Baptist Church in Odessa, and, most recently, a member of First Baptist Church in Gordon, Texas.
Bill was known for his love of the Lord, his tremendous sense of humor, his zest for life, his devotion to his family, and the projects that came to an end only upon his death. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife Edith Blackmon; sisters Ilene, Charlene, Inez, Shirley, and Marie; and his brother, James.
He is survived by his wife, Nina Warton Blackmon of Gordon, Texas; his sister, Katie Blackmon of Weatherford, Texas; sons Mark Blackmon of Grand Prairie, Texas, Brent Blackmon and his wife Tina of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and daughters Sheralyn Blackmon of Odessa, Janie Shannon of San Antonio, Texas, and Billie Jaye Clark of Odessa. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Derek, Dustin, Lynsey, Ashley, Brandon, Courtney, Jordan, Camryn, and Victoriana; and five great-grandchildren.
The family will receive visitors from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 4, 2012 at Hubbard-Kelly funeral home. Services will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 5, 2012 also at Hubbard-Kelly funeral home with Rev. Bob Bratcher officiating, with burial to follow on November 6 in Vernon, Texas. Honorary pallbearers are Derek Shannon, Dustin Shannon, Jordan Blackmon, Steve Wilson, and Ron Young.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18