URBANA, IL- William Henry "Bear" Blackmon died Tuesday, November 9, 2010 in Urbana, Illinois of carcinoid cancer.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 P.M., Monday, November 15, 2010, at Community United Church, 805 S. 6th St., Champaign, IL. A reception will follow. Visitation and viewing will be held Sunday afternoon from 2-5 P.M., at the Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Rd., Urbana, IL.

Bear was born October 24, 1939 to D.B. Blackmon and Pease Mae Brown in Como, Mississippi. He was raised by his father and stepmother, Birdie Mae Blackmon. His first wife was Ruby Lowery, they later divorced. He married Eleanor Williams in 1980. She survives. Also surviving are five children, Steve Blackmon of Delano, CA, Rachel Blackmon-Ross of Twenty-nine Palms, CA, Craig Blackmon of Pasadena, CA, Kirsti Blackmon of East Los Angeles, CA and Donna Kay Blackmon of Twenty-nine Palms, CA; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two brothers, Robert (Maxine) Blackmon of Greenville, MS, Lewis (Ruby) Blackmon of Moss Point, MS; and six sisters, Marie Malone of Corona, CA, Dianne (Sam) Jordan of Phoenix, AZ, Mary Ann Stokes, Linda Butler and Dorothy Jean Smith, all of Waterloo, IA and Tisha Jamison of Lancaster, CA.

Bear spent his early years in Mississippi, moving to Champaign, Illinois at a young age. He attended Champaign schools, graduating from Champaign High School in 1959. He played varsity football at Champaign High and was an outstanding lineman.

Bear worked all his life, starting when he was 8 years old emptying trash cans and washing dishes for local businesses. He was a Courier newspaper carrier for many years. He delivered Western Union telegrams by bicycle starting in junior high until after high school. After high school, his jobs included managing gas service stations, as a foundry worker, as an electrician and as a construction laborer.

Bear was the City of Urbana's third black police officer when he started his 19 years of active service in 1969. His achievements as a policeman included being a field training officer, an instructor in radar enforcement and firearms, a member of the pistol team, an emergency medical technician, and time as acting corporal. He directed the 4th of July parade start for many years.

Bear was on the Urbana Human Relations Commission for 20 years, eight as chairman.

He owned and operated Bear's Ribs in Urbana from 1994-1999, then operated it as an on-site catering operation until his last illness. Bear's Ribs operated during the Covered Bridge Festival at Steam Corner in Indiana, near his second home outside Kingman, Indiana.

Bear was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, the Policemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, and the DUC Hookers Golf Club.

Bear never knew a stranger. He was athletic and bowled for many years before taking up golf in the early 1980's. He will be missed by his family and many friends but will live on in our memories. Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com. Memorials may be made to the Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club, 201 E. Park, Champaign, IL.