BENTON -- 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.
A native of Berea, Kentucky, Bill was born Aug. 28, 1923, to Earl Wyman and Mary Jane Lockin.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Earl Wyman Lockin Jr.; and his wife of 67 years, Elwanda Dalton Lockin.
Bill proudly served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.
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 Wally Byam Airstream Caravan Club in Southern Illinois. He also was an active member of Lions Club International, Methodist Men, Benton Booster Club and Benton American Legion, as well as an active amateur radio operator.
An incredible and dedicated husband, father and grandfather, Bill was loved and adored by his son, David William Lockin (wife Jennifer Ryan Lockin) of Lilburn, Georgia; daughter, Karen Lockin Bachus of Rome, Georgia; daughter, Jane Lockin Hutson (husband John Hutson) of Brentwood, Tennessee; grandchildren, Matthew Lockin (wife Melissa Lockin) of Phoenix, Jonathan Lockin of Lilburn, Georgia, Avery Bachus of Marietta, Georgia, Madelyn Hutson of Providence, Rhode Island, and Kathryn Hutson of Brentwood, Tennessee.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, in Benton First United Methodist Church, 203 Church St., in Benton. The eulogy will be given by Jim Muir and the service will be officiated by Mark Minor. Burial with military rites will be in Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.
Morton and Johnston Funeral Home in Benton is in charge of arrangements.
For more information or to sign the online guest register, visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com.
