William Linley

William D. "Bill" Linley, 71, of Jackson passed away Thursday, July 22, 2010, at his home.

He was born Feb. 1, 1939, in Greenway, Ark., son of James A. and Kathleen J. Haley Linley. He and Shirley J. Cook were married Sept. 30, 1961.

Bill was a revenue agent with the Missouri Department of Revenue, retiring in 2001 after 15 years with the department. He was a council member of the AhNiYvWiYa (Cherokee) Tribe, and his Indian name was Walking Buffalo.

He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1957 to 1961.

Bill had a passion for genealogy and has family records dating back to England. He was a member of Masonic lodges in Kennett and Sikeston, Mo., and Cape Girardeau 40 years, member of Scottish Rite and NRA. He loved fishing and was a member of Bass Masters Fishing Club.

Loving survivors include his wife of 48 years; two daughters, Valarie Gambill of Cape Girardeau, Diane Linley of Jackson; a brother, Jim (Linda) Linley; five grandchildren, Stacey Peters, Jamie Cramner, Blake Farris, Brittany Farris, Erik Gambill; and a great-grandson, Austen Gambill.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

Interment will be at a later date.

The family suggests memorials be made to the American Cancer Society.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.