Billy Lee McKinney, age 88, of Salem, Illinois, passed away Friday morning, June 19, 2026, at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.

      Bill was born January 17, 1938, in Wayne County, the son of Arthur and Wilma (Kennedy) McKinney.  He married the love of his life, Linda Kay Burgess, on May 16, 1964, in Bluford.  Together, they built a lifetime of memories and were blessed to celebrate 62 wedding anniversaries side by side.

      A 1957 graduate of Wayne City High School, Bill enlisted and proudly served in the U.S. Army as a radio operator while stationed in Germany.  He went on to devote more than 32 years of service to Morton Buildings and faithfully served his community as Assistant Chief of the Orchardville Fire Department.

      Bill cherished time spent with his grandchildren and enjoyed attending their activities, taking ATV rides with his grandsons, and making memories together.  He and Linda looked forward to Monday evenings in Orchardville, where they enjoyed playing Bingo with friends.  He was a St. Louis Cardinals fan, enjoyed watching western television shows, and took great pride in keeping his yard neat and well cared for.

      A strong Christian man, Bill loved his family deeply.  He will be remembered for his faith, his dedication to family and community, and the many simple joys he shared with those he loved.

      He is survived by his wife: Linda McKinney; children: Kim (Kevin) Cantrell, Wendy (Mark) Ball, and Terri (Danny) Conklin; grandchildren: Miranda (Eric) Dennis, Kory (Katherine) Cantrell, Jesse (Carissa) Cantrell, Keith Ball, Ryan (Bobbie) Ball, Joseph (Ashley) Morrison, Kolton (Kayla) Morrison, and Austin (Sydnee) Conklin; great-grandchildren: Shiloh, Ellie, Kenlie, Kole, Kenna, Sadie, Sawyer, Lainey, Joshua, Rylynn, Maylee, Waylon, Oaklynn, Colter, and Cru; a sister: Frances Drew; sisters-in-law: Peggy (Charlie) Skaj, Marsha (Tom) Heiple, and Sandra Slover; a brother-in-law: Rick (Kelly) Burgess; and several nieces, nephews, and close friends.

      He was preceded in passing by his parents; siblings: Lois (Raymond) Harper, June (Fred) Bradford, Wanda (Jim) Richardson, and Judy (Bill) Byers; 2 brothers-in-law: Clarence Drew and Bobbie Slover; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law: Kelley and Dorothy Burgess.

      A funeral ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 26, 2026, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora with Kory Cantrell officiating.  Interment will follow in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery with the presentation of military funeral honors.  A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday evening at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Bill’s memory are suggested to the Orchardville Fire Department and these will be accepted through the funeral home.  To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com