Billy Gene Yochum

Billy Yochum, age 94, of Quincy, IL passed away at 9:17 pm Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 10:00 am, at the Columbus Road Baptist Church in Quincy, IL, Rev. Bob Cowman will officiate. Burial will be in the Grand View Burial Park in Hannibal, MO, following the service.

A visitation celebrating Billy's life will be held Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 9:00 am, at the Columbus Road Baptist Church in Quincy, IL.

Billy was born to Ernest and Letha (Channey) Yochum on August 7, 1930 in Hannibal, Mo.

Survivors include; Two Sons, Ricky Gene (Terry) Yochum of Starke, FL, Steven Yochum of Quincy, IL; Daughter, Rebecca Ann Cramblit of Springfield, IL; Two Granddaughters, Sarah Mimbs of Greer, SC, Olivia Cramblit of Pine Mountain Club, CA; Grandson, Walker Cramblit of Springfield, IL; Three Great-granddaughters, Shelby Mimbs, Sydney Mimbs, and Ora Rose Cramblit.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Harold Yochum.

In 1951 Billy joined the US Navy and served a four-year tour. This is where he met the love of his life, Elizabeth Hughes Robertson, and they wed on April 17, 1954, in Pascagoula, Mississippi, while both were serving in the Navy. If you would ask him about his life’s proudest moment, he would tell you it was marrying “Liz”. They were blessed with 68 years together.

In his early years his family moved to Louisiana, Texas, and California, then ended up back in Honeywell, MO where he would attend Monroe City High School.

After the Navy Billy worked at Harris as a senior electrical engineer and would end up with the distinction of being in the Harris Hall of Fame for his patent on television equipment.

Billy was a “fix-it” guy and could figure out how to make just about anything work. Upon retiring from Harris, he used his “fix-it” skills serving as a maintenance and repair man for Columbus Road Church until his 80’s. Billy was the last living charter member of the Columbus Road Baptist church.

We would like to add a personal touch to end this obituary by sharing the following, in Billy’s own words:

“I have tried to live for Christ thought most of my life. But sometimes missed the mark. So to all of my airs I wish GOD’s best for you. As I look back over my life I can see God’s hand has guided me through my journey. Thou at the time I didn’t know it. So I say to you, trust in God and ask his blessing. Farwell, I will see you in Haven.

P.S. I lift some misspelled words so you’d know it was me HA, HA!”