Bill Ray Blankenship

Billy “Bill” R. Blankenship, 90, of Haskell, passed away peacefully in Abilene on Friday, November 24, 2023. A Funeral Service will be held 10:00am, Monday, November 27, 2023 at the First Methodist Church with Rev. Randall Cunningham officiating. Burial will follow in Willow Cemetery under the direction of Haskell Funeral Home, 2 Ave D. A visitation will be held from 2:00-4:00pm, Sunday, November 26, 2023 at Haskell Funeral Home. Condolences may be made at www.haskellfuneralhometx.com.

Bill was born July 5, 1933 in Bomarton, TX; the son of the late James “Dee” O.D. Blankenship and Claudia Mae Thurman Blankenship. On July 31, 1952, he married Lennie Ruth Sloan in Seymour, TX. He worked for GTE Telephone Company, retiring after 42 years. Bill loved photography, taking photos of many weddings, family portraits, and school sporting events. His sports pictures would be seen weekly in the Haskell Free Press. He was an avid football fan, especially of the Dallas Cowboys. One of his favorite past times, was drinking coffee down at Double A with his friends. Bill was a Mason and a member of the First Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lennie Ruth Blankenship in August 2004; daughter, Jeleta Xedis; brothers, Glen Blankenship, D.L. Blankenship and Pete Blankenship.

Bill is survived by his daughters, Ruth Phillips and husband Timothy of Abilene; Susan Blankenship of Abilene; 6 grandchildren, Tony Xedis, Amy Cunningham, April Beckling, James Phillips, Trevor Griggs, and Brittany Moore; 8 great, grandchildren, Ryan Pruit, Adrianne Pruit, Stormy Pointer, Wyatt Ogle, Tyler Beckling, Jason Beckling, Zeth Gonzalez and Carolina Gonzalez; 3 great, great grandchildren; brother Jim Blankenship and wife Wanda of Gainsville; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and a host of dear friends.