Billy Gene Decker, 91
Updated Service Information as of September 5, 2025.
Billy Gene Decker, 91, of Casey, Illinois, passed away at 9:45 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2020, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon, Illinois. He was born April 18, 1929, in Greenup, Illinois, the son of William E. Decker and Florence A. Roberts Decker. On August 10, 1951, he married Roberta May Kuhn in Marshall, Illinois.
Gene was a U.S. Army veteran and proudly served his country during the Korean War. He worked at Eastern Illinois University as a sub foreman for over 24 years. Gene was a member of the First Christian Church in Casey, Illinois, and American Legion for over 50 years. Gene enjoyed playing dominoes and cards and in the past used to square dance and ride his motorcycle.
He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Roberta Decker of Casey, Illinois; son, William Steven Decker of Charleston, Illinois; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Chuck Decker; daughter, Deborah Vernon; brothers, Earnest, Everett, Donald “Max,” and John Decker; and sisters, Rosebud McElravy, Marian Decker, and Janet Cooper.
Memorial service honoring Roberta and Gene’s lives will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, September 12, 2025, at Casey First Christian Church with Pastor Adam Solorio officiating. Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. prior to the service at Casey First Christian Church, 200 SE 8th Street, Casey, Illinois. Burial will follow in Jack Oak Cemetery, Union Center, Illinois, with graveside military rites by Casey VFW and Martinsville American Legion.
Memorial contributions may be made to Casey First Christian Church, 200 SE 8th Street, Casey, Illinois 62420.
Latest News Stories
Report: Congress authorized $15 trillion in ’emergency’ deficit spending since 1991
House Dems press Patel on handling of the Epstein files
Illinois quick hits: Suspect in custody after state senator’s home struck with gunfire
WATCH: Governor candidate: Low-cost districts shine while most IL schools spend, fail
Fed cuts rates after holding off for months amid tariff turmoil
WATCH: Pritzker threatens executive action regulating hemp if legislature won’t act
Exclusive: Laws exacerbate firearm instructors shortage
House committee to examine possible link between ‘radicalization,’ social media apps
WATCH: Illinois congresswoman OK withholding federal tax funds to change state policy
Chicago mayor: ‘We do not have a spending problem’ as spending, deficit grows
WATCH: Trump calls Pritzker ’nothing’ in public safety push; U.S. Rep. Mary Miller live
Illinois quick hits: Three dead outside Berwyn school; steady economic conditions reported