Individual Details

The Southern Illinoisan May 31, 2007 Bill McKee, 83, went to be with his Lord at 4:05 a.m. Tuesday, May 29, 2007, in Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion. Bill was born March 23, 1924, in Wrest Frankfort to Eric McKee Sr. and Estella (Anderson) McKee. He married Margaret Herrin on Feb. 28, 1947, in West Frankfort, and they celebrated 60 years together. He graduated from Frankfort Community High School in 1941. He served in World War II as a sergeant in the 456 Bombardier, 15th Air Force, U.S. Army Air Force Intelligence. He was retired from the Orient 3 Mine in Waltonville. He is a member of UMWA Local Union 9111. Besides his wife, he is survived by his two daughters, Jayma Cook and husband, Steve, and Gaye Morris, both of West Frankfort; four granddaughters, Stephanie Odle and husband, Dan, Shannon Cook and Mindy Morris of Louisville, Ky., and Meridy Cooksey and husband, John, of West Frankfort; six great-grandchildren, Rebekah, Jacob, Jaron and Micah Odle, Sydney Adamson and Olivia Scott, all of Louisville, Ky.; one unborn great-grandchild; one brother, Eric McKee Jr. and wife, Imogene, of West Frankfort; a sister, Helen Wright of Marion; two nieces; and two nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother and one nephew. Bill played Minor League Baseball in the 1940s and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He helped to organize the West Frankfort Recreation Association and served as past president and was secretary-treasurer. He has served this organization as a volunteer for over 40 years. For several years, he managed the American Legionbaseball team and was the 25tn District Coach of the Year in 1973. He has coached and managed numerous other teams and players. Bill also served on the West Frankfort Park Board and was field director for the Pony Baseball Organization. He was the 2002 Daily American Citizen of the Year. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, greatgrandfather, friend and coach. He loved baseball. Yet above all, he was a servant of His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was an elder and charter member of Grace Baptist Fellowship in West Frankfort. Services were held at Grace Baptist Fellowship in Wrest Frankfort, with Roger Teal officiating. Burial in Tower Heights Cemetery. The route from the church to the cemetery will include one last trip around the West Frankfort Park and baseball fields. Parker Reedy Funeral Home in charge.

Birth	23 Mar 1924	West Frankfort, Franklin County, Illinois
Marriage	28 Feb 1947	West Frankfort, Franklin County, Illinois - Margaret Herrin
Death	29 May 2007	Marion, Williamson County, Illinois
Burial		Tower Heights Cemetery, West Frankfort, Franklin County, Illinois

Spouse	Margaret Herrin (1926 - 2009)
Child	Living
Child	Living