William “Billy” Lee Blackman 8-11-1976 ~ 12-29-2014
Another carpenter resides in Heaven. He was not a perfect man; not a messiah. At times he was a teacher. He taught his family and friends that holding a grudge only hurt the one holding it. He taught us that one should never be afraid to laugh at one’s self, and no matter your choices, Jesus should always be in the front seat. Billy’s favorite pass- times were hanging out with family and friends playing Yatzee, pool, and poker, playing basketball with kids, and watching the Redskins play (and mostly lose). He loved driving on old mountain dirt roads with a sixpack, and music on the radio. He never got lost, just found shortcuts that took longer, and often ended up at a canal or steep incline where most people would just turn around, but not Billy. He would conquer them all, mostly leading to truck repairs. He always loved an adventure. Billy was one of the funniest and most entertaining people to be around. He loved to barbeque, and everyone was starving, waiting for him to get done. Billy was never in a rush and took life one day at a time. He made friends easily where ever he was and was faithful to family and friends. When people came to him for help, he rarely said no, even when he wanted to. His heart was strong, but his body became weak, and God said, “No more.” Billy was preceded in death by both sets of grandparents, Felix and Nadine Blackman and Fred and Velma Hasenack. He is survived by and will be deeply missed by his loving parents, Bill and Jan Blackman; his fiancé, Corina Benavidez; stepchildren Josh Olguin, and Travis (T.J.)King, and Brianna King; his sister, Brandi (Chris, whom he called a full-fledged brother) Ward; nieces Meagan “Megalific” Ward, Stacey “Sister” Ward, Brittany “Bratny” Ward; nephews Matthew “Potato” Ward, and Christopher “Bubba” Ward, all of Phoenix, AZ; aunts Karen Meares of Walsenburg, Jeanne (Sonny) Valdez of Scurry, TX; cousins, Eston Chandler of Bedford, TX; Chris and Rachel Meares of Acworth, GA; and Kasie Valdez of Scurry, TX; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. A funeral service was held on January 5, 2015 at Menke Funeral Home Chapel in Sun City, AZ. At his request, Billy was cremated.
