Energy- William A. "Bill" Baskin, 70, of Energy, passed away at 12:40 AM, Thursday, December 26, 2024 at Herrin Hospital.

Bill was born on January 15, 1954 in Murphysboro to William Taylor and Mary (Lawyer) Baskin.  He married Kathleen E. Chamness on September 14, 1975 at Harrison Baptist Church in Murphysboro.

He was a hardworking man who began a long  20 year career with E.T. Simonds as an inventory control specialist and retired in 2019 as the payroll accountant.  He was a jack of all trades and quite mechanically inclined.  He enjoyed figuring out problems and fixing things.  He was a talented auto body painter and lent his skill to several dealerships throughout the area whenever needed.

Whenever he had free time, he enjoyed spending it with his beloved family and friends; sailing and travelling to the Ft. Walton Beach every winter.  He enjoyed all of Florida and dreamed of sailing around the world one day.

Bill was a strong Christian man of faith who was an active member and deacon of Lone Oak Baptist Church in Energy.  He began as a worship leader at Harrison Baptist Church in Murphysboro and through the years led worship or served as Minister of Music at Elm Street Baptist in Murphysboro and Second Baptist Church of DuQuoin.  He was also a member of the praise team at First Baptist Church of DuQuoin.  He loved the Lord and shared this love with many congregations through the years.  He will be dearly missed.

Survivors include his wife- Kathy Baskin of Energy; daughter- Christina Fred and fiancée- Daniel Cashion of DuQuoin; son- Nicholas Baskin and wife Lindsay of Herrin; five grandchildren- Jayden, Haylin and JT Fred and Alba and Amelia Baskin; sister- Marylyn (Ron) Bangert, brother- Charles (Allison) Baskin, sister- Carolyn (Brian) Russell; brother in law- Elmer Hill, sister in law- Donna (David) Tope, brother in law- Darryl Chamness and sister in law- Debbie Chamness, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister- Sue Ann Hill.

A memorial service will be held at 6:00 PM, Thursday, January 2, 2025 at Lone Oak Baptist Church/ 809 Ryan Drive/ Energy, IL   62933.  Pastor David Dyer will officiate.  Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until time of service, Thursday, January 2, 2025 at Lone Oak Baptist Church in Energy.  Arrangements were entrusted to McCluskie-Miller Funeral Home in Herrin.

Memorial donations are suggested to Lone Oak Baptist Church and will be accepted at the church or mailed to McCluskie-Miller Funeral Home/ 501 S. 12th/ Herrin, IL  62948.  For more information please visit www.mccluskiemillerfh.com.

Lone Oak Baptist Church
809 Ryan Drive, Energy IL 62933