Bill Gene Bullock

Bill Gene Bullock, 84, of Du Quoin, died peacefully at 4:19 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013 at the Memorial Hospital in Carbondale after a short illness.

Bill was a 1947 graduate of Anna High School. He then earned an Agriculture degree from SIU Carbondale. He worked at the Continental Bank in Chicago, Ag Division, prior to accepting a position with the U.S. Department of Agriculture FHA in Murphysboro from which he retired.

He was a charming man with a warm, easy smile. He was a lover of knowledge. Bill was a voracious reader who had consumed countless hundreds of books on a variety of topics and his ability to recall historical detail was legendary to those who knew him.

He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, operating as an infantry map reader and photograph reader.

He attended the First Christian Church in Du Quoin and was a member of the VFW and American Legion.

He was born Oct. 12, 1929 at Lick Creek, Ill. the son of Clebe and Beulah (Murphy) Bullock.

He married Earlene J. Martin on Feb. 9, 1974 at Harrisburg, Ill. and she survives.

He is survived by the love of his life, his wife- Earlene J. Bullock of Du Quoin. Throughout their lives they enjoyed square-dancing, travel and simply being together. Earlene was at Bill's side when he passed.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and a brother.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with Rev. Greg Tucker from Los Angeles and Pastor Terry Brace officiating.

Friends may call from Noon until time of service on Tuesday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.

Burial will be in the Ebenezer Hall Cemetery at Lick Creek.

Friends may make memorials to the Ebenezer Hall Cemetery and will be accepted at the funeral home.

For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.