Billy Gene Kash, age 75, of Waltonville, went to be with the Lord at 7:55 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009, at Crossroads Community Hospital in Mt. Vernon.

Billy was born April 23, 1934, in Jefferson County, a son of Virgil Arthur and Sula Viola (Page) Kash.

He married Phyllis Conner on Nov. 26, 1955, in Ewing. She survives in Waltonville.

Billy worked for many years for Ford Motor Company in Chicago Heights. He later moved back to Southern Illinois and began farming full time with his wife and sons.

He attended the Nason Freewill Baptist Church. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. His life was farming.

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Kash of Waltonville; three sons, Randy Kash and wife Debbie of Scheller, Jeff Kash and wife Tammi of Bonnie and Mark Kash of Scheller; a daughter, Tonya Hart and husband John of Noble, Okla.; a sister, Glenda Downen and husband Jim of Ina; six brothers, Floyd Kash and wife Noma Lee of Mt. Vernon, Virgil Kash Jr. and wife Naomi of Benton, twin brother Bobby Kash and wife Darlene of Ina, Wayne Kash and wife Brenda of Bonnie, Jackie Kash and wife Audrey of Waltonville and Kenneth Kash and wife Helen of Bonnie; brother-in-law, William L. Pierce of Bonnie; 11 grandchildren, Jeremy Kash and wife Kristy, Marci Kash, Tiffany Kash, Wesley Kash, Sarah Kash, Rebekah Kash, Jonathan Kash , Adam Kash, Melissa Hart, Megan Hart and Aaron Hart; four great-grandchildren, Andrew Gene, Ben, Seth, and Alexis Kash; and also a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson, Benjamin Gene Kash; two sisters, Norma Kash and JoAnn Pierce; sister-in-law, Beatrice Kash; and two nephews, Robert Dale Kash and Danny E. Kash.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday at Newell Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon with his son the Rev. Randy Kash and the Rev. Clarence Porter officiating. Burial will follow at Abner Cemetery. Friends may call on Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Newell Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Abner Cemetery or the St. Louis Children's Hospital and will be accepted at Newell Funeral Home where you may call 246-0100 for more information or visit http://www.newellfuneralhome.com.

Source: Mt. Vernon Register News
Date: December 19-21, 2009
Submitted by: Robert W. Loman