Billy Gene Blankenship

Some say you can tell a good man by his accomplishments and successes. Billy “Bill” Gene Blankenship, however, was a great man by the quiet, unassuming impact he had on the lives of his family, friends, and others. Early morning Saturday, September 13, 2025, he went to be with his beloved wife Mary, leaving a legacy of love, support and quiet reserve that will be truly missed.

Bill was born in Kentucky August 9, 1938, to Jesse and Lorine Blankenship. Moving to Columbus, Ohio, he worked at Frisch’s before working for many years for the City of Columbus, where he was asked to return multiple times to cover and share his knowledge. He still has many close friends/former co-workers who will miss him at their periodic lunches.

He met, and after a brief romance, married Mary Margaret (Widner), celebrating 59 years before her untimely death in 2019. They had a full life, spending time with family, traveling to Florida beaches, lunches with his siblings Shirley (Mike), Betty (Pat), and Ray (Linda), and lots of road trips and adventures with his sister Shirley (Blankenship) and her husband Mike Dodge.

Bill loved his family and was a favorite of all the kids. He and “Aunt Mary” were a large part of the “Dodge kids” lives growing up, going to many parks, A&W Root Beer for their kid-size mugs, taking car rides, playing pickup basketball games, and many family gatherings and events that continued with their kids and grandkids, even to this day.

Bill and Mary “Margie” became like parents to Glen (Penni) Widner and grandpa and grandma to Heather, Haley, Mindy and their children. Softball games, going to the park, fishing, trips to the beach, family celebrations, weekly dinners, and trips to the casino (where Bill was almost always a winner!) were important to Bill. He even had his first plane ride to Las Vegas, at age 85.

It would be remiss not to mention Bill’s love and passion for “Big Blue.” He followed and watched many Kentucky Wildcats basketball games, going to a few with his brother Jim “Ray” and with Glen. He loved watching the Cleveland Indians, and attended a few Columbus Clippers games with various Dodge kids. Bill had the amazing ability to share facts, history, and even stats about Wildcats’ players and coaches. He had an endless amount of information about baseball and players, following up and coming stars from the minors, who came from what other teams, and cheering on the wins and losses (no fair-weather fan here!). And let’s not forget his prized ring for bowling a 300!

Bill leaves us to join his wife Mary, his parents Jesse and Lorine Blankenship, brother-in-law Mike Dodge, and his main pick-up competition Lori Dodge-Dorsey. His advice, stories, and memories live on with his special son, Glen (Penni) Widner, granddaughters, Heather (Mark) Colvin, Haley (Matt) Stevers and Mindy (Bo) Skinner, great grandchildren, Aurora, Graham Colvin, Brayden, Kynlie & Ellie Stevers, Leeanna & Carolyn Skinner. Siblings Shirley Dodge, Betty (Pat) and James Ray (Linda) Blankenship, his many Dodge, Stewart, and Blankenship nieces and nephews and their children, cousins, extended family, and friends, including close friends Judy Thomas, Louie Haynes & Sam Taylor. We will all miss this man who was such an integral part of all our lives for 87 years.

Friends may call at the Newcomer Southwest Chapel, 3393 Broadway, Grove City, OH, on Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m., until time of service at 2:00 pm., with Pastor Jim Blankenship officiating.