William Earl Blackburn, 75, of Sun City, AZ., died 1/15/1984 in Boswell Memorial Hospital. He was born and raised in Malta Bend, Mo., lived and worked in Kansas City from 1929 to 1973, and moved to Sun City, Arizona 10 upon retiremen in 1973.
He married Edna Lorine Hutcherson on August 30, 1930. He worked for the Kansas City Power and Light Co. for 43 years. He began his KCP&L career in 1929 as a bookkeeper. After several other assignments in Accounting, he transferred to Electrical Overhead in 1953 as an Estimator. In 1962 he was named a System Construction Planner, and in 1969 became a Chief Construction Planner. During most of his 43 years of service with the Kansas City Power and Light Company, he was very active with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). Along with two other men, the three of them started the new local union, number 1613. He served 10 years as the Vice President of Local 1613 and 2 years as the President.
Bill Sr. was very active in Boy Scouts, getting both sons, Bill Jr. and Bob, through to the Eagle Scout rank. The boys were extremely fortunate in having a rarely seen group of adults supporting the scout organization. The scouts were meeting in the local elementary school but during the 1949-1950 school season the Board of Education started charging for use of the school. A decision was made to buy property and to build their own building and Bill Sr. was the President of the organization during this planning phase. In the early 1950's many of the parents worked part-time catering with a company run by TV star Andy Devine, with the proceeds going to the scout association. One of the first owners of the property was Morgan Boone, a descendant of Daniel Boone. The property comprised of 5 acres of land along a creek and was bought for the back taxes owed. A 36' by 75' concrete block scout lodge was built by the creek and was large enough for use by Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Explorer Scouts (at that time Explorers were all of the boys over 14 years old and they wore dark green uniforms instead of tan). The building was dedicated 12/6/1953 and the ceremony was attended by Kansas City Mayor, H. Roe Bartle.
In addition to 10 days each summer at the Osceola Boy Scout Camp, the parents also planned a 2 week trip (called Highlite Trips) for the Explorers (one to Padre Island Texas, one to the Smokey Mountains, and the rest to either Canada or Northern Minnesota for canoeing and fishing. Rarely a month went by when the Boy Scouts missed out on a weekend camping trip. Funds were provided for by annual chili suppers, ice cream socials, newspaper drives, and some catering for Andy Devine (he was the sidekick "Jingles" for Wild Bill Hickock on both old time radio and early TV). The dedication and hard work by these parents has far exceeded anything seen for scouting organizations by Bob during his participation his son's scouting.
He was a member of the Red Bridge Christian Church in Kansas City, Santa Fe Hills Country Club and Northwoods Country Club in Kansas City, and was a member of the North Course Golf Association in Sun City, Sundial Men's Club and various bridge clubs. Mr. Blackburn is survived by his second wife, Helen Miller Blackburn; sons William Jr. of Latrobe, Pa.; Robert Charles of Littleton, Colo.; sister, Gladys McNelly of Tempe; and three grandchildren.
Bill Sr. had two siblings, Gladys Evelyn Blackburn McNelly(1/3/1902 to 5/26/1984) and Harris Franklin Blackburn (6/10/1904 to 8/22/1946). His parents were Frank Chaney Blackburn (1877 - 1928) and Mary Eliza Killion Blackburn (1875 - 1971).
He married Edna Lorine Hutcherson on August 30, 1930. He worked for the Kansas City Power and Light Co. for 43 years. He began his KCP&L career in 1929 as a bookkeeper. After several other assignments in Accounting, he transferred to Electrical Overhead in 1953 as an Estimator. In 1962 he was named a System Construction Planner, and in 1969 became a Chief Construction Planner. During most of his 43 years of service with the Kansas City Power and Light Company, he was very active with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). Along with two other men, the three of them started the new local union, number 1613. He served 10 years as the Vice President of Local 1613 and 2 years as the President.
Bill Sr. was very active in Boy Scouts, getting both sons, Bill Jr. and Bob, through to the Eagle Scout rank. The boys were extremely fortunate in having a rarely seen group of adults supporting the scout organization. The scouts were meeting in the local elementary school but during the 1949-1950 school season the Board of Education started charging for use of the school. A decision was made to buy property and to build their own building and Bill Sr. was the President of the organization during this planning phase. In the early 1950's many of the parents worked part-time catering with a company run by TV star Andy Devine, with the proceeds going to the scout association. One of the first owners of the property was Morgan Boone, a descendant of Daniel Boone. The property comprised of 5 acres of land along a creek and was bought for the back taxes owed. A 36' by 75' concrete block scout lodge was built by the creek and was large enough for use by Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Explorer Scouts (at that time Explorers were all of the boys over 14 years old and they wore dark green uniforms instead of tan). The building was dedicated 12/6/1953 and the ceremony was attended by Kansas City Mayor, H. Roe Bartle.
In addition to 10 days each summer at the Osceola Boy Scout Camp, the parents also planned a 2 week trip (called Highlite Trips) for the Explorers (one to Padre Island Texas, one to the Smokey Mountains, and the rest to either Canada or Northern Minnesota for canoeing and fishing. Rarely a month went by when the Boy Scouts missed out on a weekend camping trip. Funds were provided for by annual chili suppers, ice cream socials, newspaper drives, and some catering for Andy Devine (he was the sidekick "Jingles" for Wild Bill Hickock on both old time radio and early TV). The dedication and hard work by these parents has far exceeded anything seen for scouting organizations by Bob during his participation his son's scouting.
He was a member of the Red Bridge Christian Church in Kansas City, Santa Fe Hills Country Club and Northwoods Country Club in Kansas City, and was a member of the North Course Golf Association in Sun City, Sundial Men's Club and various bridge clubs. Mr. Blackburn is survived by his second wife, Helen Miller Blackburn; sons William Jr. of Latrobe, Pa.; Robert Charles of Littleton, Colo.; sister, Gladys McNelly of Tempe; and three grandchildren.
Bill Sr. had two siblings, Gladys Evelyn Blackburn McNelly(1/3/1902 to 5/26/1984) and Harris Franklin Blackburn (6/10/1904 to 8/22/1946). His parents were Frank Chaney Blackburn (1877 - 1928) and Mary Eliza Killion Blackburn (1875 - 1971).
William Earl Blackburn, 75, of Sun City, AZ., died 1/15/1984 in Boswell Memorial Hospital. He was born and raised in Malta Bend, Mo., lived and worked in Kansas City from 1929 to 1973, and moved to Sun City, Arizona 10 upon retiremen in 1973.
He married Edna Lorine Hutcherson on August 30, 1930. He worked for the Kansas City Power and Light Co. for 43 years. He began his KCP&L career in 1929 as a bookkeeper. After several other assignments in Accounting, he transferred to Electrical Overhead in 1953 as an Estimator. In 1962 he was named a System Construction Planner, and in 1969 became a Chief Construction Planner. During most of his 43 years of service with the Kansas City Power and Light Company, he was very active with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). Along with two other men, the three of them started the new local union, number 1613. He served 10 years as the Vice President of Local 1613 and 2 years as the President.
Bill Sr. was very active in Boy Scouts, getting both sons, Bill Jr. and Bob, through to the Eagle Scout rank. The boys were extremely fortunate in having a rarely seen group of adults supporting the scout organization. The scouts were meeting in the local elementary school but during the 1949-1950 school season the Board of Education started charging for use of the school. A decision was made to buy property and to build their own building and Bill Sr. was the President of the organization during this planning phase. In the early 1950's many of the parents worked part-time catering with a company run by TV star Andy Devine, with the proceeds going to the scout association. One of the first owners of the property was Morgan Boone, a descendant of Daniel Boone. The property comprised of 5 acres of land along a creek and was bought for the back taxes owed. A 36' by 75' concrete block scout lodge was built by the creek and was large enough for use by Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Explorer Scouts (at that time Explorers were all of the boys over 14 years old and they wore dark green uniforms instead of tan). The building was dedicated 12/6/1953 and the ceremony was attended by Kansas City Mayor, H. Roe Bartle.
In addition to 10 days each summer at the Osceola Boy Scout Camp, the parents also planned a 2 week trip (called Highlite Trips) for the Explorers (one to Padre Island Texas, one to the Smokey Mountains, and the rest to either Canada or Northern Minnesota for canoeing and fishing. Rarely a month went by when the Boy Scouts missed out on a weekend camping trip. Funds were provided for by annual chili suppers, ice cream socials, newspaper drives, and some catering for Andy Devine (he was the sidekick "Jingles" for Wild Bill Hickock on both old time radio and early TV). The dedication and hard work by these parents has far exceeded anything seen for scouting organizations by Bob during his participation his son's scouting.
He was a member of the Red Bridge Christian Church in Kansas City, Santa Fe Hills Country Club and Northwoods Country Club in Kansas City, and was a member of the North Course Golf Association in Sun City, Sundial Men's Club and various bridge clubs. Mr. Blackburn is survived by his second wife, Helen Miller Blackburn; sons William Jr. of Latrobe, Pa.; Robert Charles of Littleton, Colo.; sister, Gladys McNelly of Tempe; and three grandchildren.
Bill Sr. had two siblings, Gladys Evelyn Blackburn McNelly(1/3/1902 to 5/26/1984) and Harris Franklin Blackburn (6/10/1904 to 8/22/1946). His parents were Frank Chaney Blackburn (1877 - 1928) and Mary Eliza Killion Blackburn (1875 - 1971).
He married Edna Lorine Hutcherson on August 30, 1930. He worked for the Kansas City Power and Light Co. for 43 years. He began his KCP&L career in 1929 as a bookkeeper. After several other assignments in Accounting, he transferred to Electrical Overhead in 1953 as an Estimator. In 1962 he was named a System Construction Planner, and in 1969 became a Chief Construction Planner. During most of his 43 years of service with the Kansas City Power and Light Company, he was very active with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). Along with two other men, the three of them started the new local union, number 1613. He served 10 years as the Vice President of Local 1613 and 2 years as the President.
Bill Sr. was very active in Boy Scouts, getting both sons, Bill Jr. and Bob, through to the Eagle Scout rank. The boys were extremely fortunate in having a rarely seen group of adults supporting the scout organization. The scouts were meeting in the local elementary school but during the 1949-1950 school season the Board of Education started charging for use of the school. A decision was made to buy property and to build their own building and Bill Sr. was the President of the organization during this planning phase. In the early 1950's many of the parents worked part-time catering with a company run by TV star Andy Devine, with the proceeds going to the scout association. One of the first owners of the property was Morgan Boone, a descendant of Daniel Boone. The property comprised of 5 acres of land along a creek and was bought for the back taxes owed. A 36' by 75' concrete block scout lodge was built by the creek and was large enough for use by Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Explorer Scouts (at that time Explorers were all of the boys over 14 years old and they wore dark green uniforms instead of tan). The building was dedicated 12/6/1953 and the ceremony was attended by Kansas City Mayor, H. Roe Bartle.
In addition to 10 days each summer at the Osceola Boy Scout Camp, the parents also planned a 2 week trip (called Highlite Trips) for the Explorers (one to Padre Island Texas, one to the Smokey Mountains, and the rest to either Canada or Northern Minnesota for canoeing and fishing. Rarely a month went by when the Boy Scouts missed out on a weekend camping trip. Funds were provided for by annual chili suppers, ice cream socials, newspaper drives, and some catering for Andy Devine (he was the sidekick "Jingles" for Wild Bill Hickock on both old time radio and early TV). The dedication and hard work by these parents has far exceeded anything seen for scouting organizations by Bob during his participation his son's scouting.
He was a member of the Red Bridge Christian Church in Kansas City, Santa Fe Hills Country Club and Northwoods Country Club in Kansas City, and was a member of the North Course Golf Association in Sun City, Sundial Men's Club and various bridge clubs. Mr. Blackburn is survived by his second wife, Helen Miller Blackburn; sons William Jr. of Latrobe, Pa.; Robert Charles of Littleton, Colo.; sister, Gladys McNelly of Tempe; and three grandchildren.
Bill Sr. had two siblings, Gladys Evelyn Blackburn McNelly(1/3/1902 to 5/26/1984) and Harris Franklin Blackburn (6/10/1904 to 8/22/1946). His parents were Frank Chaney Blackburn (1877 - 1928) and Mary Eliza Killion Blackburn (1875 - 1971).
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