Franklin – On Monday, November 20, 2023, William Lee Black, loving husband and father of five children, passed away at age 77.

William (Bill) was born on September 5, 1946, in Lexington, NC, to William and Leona (Morgan) Black. He lived in Lexington until he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1964. Upon honorable discharge from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, in 1970, he attended Central Bible College, where he met his wife. He married Martha Robbins on June 20, 1970, and they had five children: Joy DeBoard, Deborah Lundstrom, Mark Black, Naomi and Jonny Edpao, Hannah and Jay Hawkins.

William met Christ as his personal Lord and Savior while serving the military in Alaska and desired to return to serve the mission field in Alaska. He led his family on an adventure driving/moving from Texas to Alaska, where they enjoyed many years of traveling in a motorhome. He was the first to volunteer to paint, build, or repair churches as his way of giving back. He loved to joke and was a fun-loving guy to be around, known for his saying, “I’m just having fun.” Because of his love for the Lord and outgoing personality, he never met a stranger! He taught his kids the value of hard work and said, “Any job can be done with the right tools.” For the last several years of his life, he was the primary caregiver for his wife, Martha. Following her passing, he enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and, as he referred to them, “granddogs and grandkitties.” He loved reading and listening to the Bible or singing praises and was often found on his knees praying morning and night. He encouraged his family and all those around him to live wholeheartedly for Christ and reminded us that “we are on God’s timetable.”

William was preceded in death by his father, William Howard; his mother, Leona Schoellerman; and his wife, Martha. He is survived by his five children, Joy, Deborah, Mark, Naomi, and Hannah, and seven grandchildren, Nathan, Joel, Meleah, Gage, Eliza, Asher, and Gabriel; his brother Milton; and several cousins. The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday, December 7, 2023, in the Greenlawn South Funeral Home at 441 West Battlefield, Springfield, MO, 65807. The funeral service will be held on Friday, December 8, 2023, at 11:30 am also at Greenlawn South Funeral Home. Directly following, a Military Honors Ceremony will be held at Springfield Veterans Cemetery at 5201 S. Southwood Rd, Springfield, MO, 65804. Flowers may be sent to the Greenlawn South Funeral Home.