Cecil, Billy

CMSgt. Billy Paul Cecil USAF, (Ret.), 68, of New Baden, IL, died Thursday, January 5, 2006 at Cedar Ridge Healthcare Center in Lebanon, IL. He was born on November 12, 1937 in Iowa City, Iowa son of Homer & Maxine (Lanphier) Faulkner. He married Virginia "Ginny" Tuckness on January 26, 1957 in Fowler, CA and she survives in New Baden. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Billy Cecil II and wife Stephanie of Washington DC, Lori Lynn Fistein and husband David of New Baden, Michael Cecil and wife Rebecca of San Antonio, TX, Melinda Cole and Rich Kremmer of New Baden and Dianne Berry of Sumter, S.C.; eight grandchildren, Christian Cecil, Taylor Cecil, Ali-Bin Polat, Miranda Polat, Emily Cecil, Corey Cecil, Freddie Cole and Dustin Cole; a sister, Viola Verworn and husband Ben of Glenrock, Wyoming and a step-brother, Peter Cecil and wife Delores of Gulfport, Mississippi. He was preceded in death by his parents. He was a career veteran of the United States Air Force retiring after 30 years in 1985. He served in Viet Nam and earned the Bronze Star and a Distinguished Service Medal. He served as Command Chief from 1980 to 1982 at Headquarters USAFE. He was called and licensed to the Southern Baptist Ministry in 1967 and was ordained and became a Reverend in 1970 at El Mirage, AZ. He was Pastor at numerous communities where he was stationed including a growing ministry at Eastside Baptist Church in Sumter, S.C. He came to New Baden in 1982 and became Pastor of the First Baptist Church of New Baden in 1983. He retired as Pastor and was named Pastor Emeritus of the First Baptist Church of New Baden in 2000. He was a life member of the Air Force Sergeants Association and a member of the New Baden American Legion Post 321. Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 at First Baptist Church of New Baden with Rev. Don Schnipper and Pastor Dave Manley officiating. Burial with full military honors will be at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, TX on Tuesday, January 17, 2006 at 2:15 PM. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Monday, January 9, 2006 at Hempen Funeral Home in New Baden and from 1 p.m. until time of service on Tuesday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the American Lung Association.