James William "Bill" Blackburn

James William “Bill” Blackburn, 88, of Port Charlotte, Florida passed away Saturday, June 23, 2018 at the Consulate Health Care of Port Charlotte. He was born September 22, 1929 in Tiffin Township, Ohio, the son of James Stanley and Alice Florence (McNeilan) Blackburn. On June 4, 1954, he married his wife of 64 years, Elizabeth “Betty” (Carroll) Blackburn, and she survives. In addition to Betty, James is survived by his brother, Stephen R. Blackburn of Springfield, Virginia; sister, Peggy Thomas and husband, Marlin, of Flat Rock; sister-in-law, Judy H. Blackburn of Shelbyville; and several loving nieces and nephews. James was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Laurence M. “Buster” Blackburn and Art Thomas “Tom” Blackburn; and sister, Patricia Schoentrup. He graduated from Boggstown High School, and attended IUPUI and Duke University to study science. James was a US Marine Corps veteran, serving during the Korean War. He was a radiation physics technician at the Medical College of Virginia and Duke University Medical Center. James enjoyed gardening and cooking. He loved to travel. He was also preceded in death by his beloved dog, Fuzz. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 30, 2018 at Forest Hill Cemetery, 705 Morris Avenue in Shelbyville, with Rev. Bob Campbell officiating. Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, 18900 Jefferson Davis Highway, Triangle, VA 22172 or Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, Utah 84741. Online condolences may be shared with James’ family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.