William R Black

William R. "Bill" Black, 91, of Rock Island, IL, died Friday, July 18, 2008, at Pathway Hospice in Bettendorf, IA. Services were 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 25th, at Wendt Funeral Home in Moline. Burial was in Rose Lawn Cemetery in Moline, with military rites conducted by American Legion Post 246. Memorials may be made to Trinity Pathway Hospice or the American Cancer Society. Mr. Black was born April 7, 1917, in Moline, the son of Ross W. and Emma Wahlert Black. He married Barbara Keeling in Keokuk, IA on October 23, 1937. She died March 10, 1975. He then married Doris Matalik on November 13, 1977 in Moline. He graduated from Moline High School and Western Illinois University. He taught school in Annawan. Then he joined his father, Ross Black, as a painting contractor for 32 years, retiring in 1977. He was a Navy frogman during WWII, serving in Guam and the Philippines. He was a member of First Christian Church, Moline; the Moline Pistol Club; Moline American Legion Post 246; the National Rifle Association; and the Rock River Rangers. He was an avid hunter and gun collector. He enjoyed swimming, reading, sports, especially football, and traveling. Survivors include his wife; daughter, Barbara (Dave) Dombrock of Moline; son, William R. (Carol) Black of Moline; and grandchildren: Jeremy (Abbie) Dombrock of Iowa City, IA; Jason (Maria) Black of Moline; and Jenny Black of Rock Island. He was preceded in death by a sister, Marjorie Dubois, two brothers: Dan and Henry Black; and a grandson, Jacob Black.