REUNITED William (Bill) Anderson Blackshear passed away at The Pines Nursing Home late Saturday, January 30, 2016, after a brief illness. I would like to commend Aultman's Hospice Program and the Pines' staff for providing him with compassionate and excellent care, as well as his longtime physician, Dr. Robert Sabota and his receptionist, Paula McCartney. Bill was born in Canton, OH on 12/01/32 to the late Harry, Sr. and Eva *Langley) Blackshear, and was the 3rd of six siblings. He moved Alliance, OH at an early age and worked in various capacities, including self-employment as a commercial window washer. He joined the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict and received and honorable discharge in 1956. He was the recipient of both a National Defense Service Medal and an Occupation Medal for his service in Germany. He married the love of his life, Helen Hart, on February 5, 1967, and relocated to Canton. They were blessed with 40 years of happiness prior to her demise on November 10, 2007, and are now reunited as we celebrate his homegoing on what would have been their 49th wedding anniversary. Bill worked for Dyneer Corporation (aka "Aspro" in Canton. When it closed, he was hired as a maintenance worker by Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority until his retirement in 1996. Bill joined his wife's church, Union Baptist, and was a faithful member for 40+ years. Prior to two surgeries in 2013, he loved helping to box supplies for the church's monthly food donation program. His continued involvement was limited due to health complications arising from the surgeries, and reluctantly, he had to call it quits. He loved television, and always referred to it as the "idiot box." He would playfully greet his male friends with a raised fist and pretend to pull out his pocket knife like he was in attack mode. However in essence, Bill was a sweet, grumpy, old-school gentleman who loved blues and jazz music. He especially loved listening to Alex Smith's Sunday morning gospel program on WSMU, 91.1 FM. He enjoy tooling around making home repairs, and was quite a good dancer. He and his wife enjoyed traveling, cruises, and socializing with family and their wide circle of friends and acquaintances. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, And three brothers; Harry, Jr., Maurice, and his youngest, James Benjamin, fondly called "Butchie Boy", also included are his mother-in-law, Beatrice Penick, and stepson, Clay (Pete) Hart. He leaves to cherish two sisters, Rosetta Nicholson of Alliance, OH and Thelma Jo Blackshear of Canton; two sisters-in-law, Earline Blackshear of Cleveland, OH and Vivian Blackshear of Niles, OH; four nieces, Sylvia Williams and Tracey (Thomas) Kramer, both of Canton; Rosilyn (Jesse) Vereen of East Orange, New Jersey, Kelly (Ronald) Hill of Euclid, OH , and one nephew, Ray (Patricia) Nicholson of Massillon, OH. On his wife's side, one stepdaughter and caretaker, Sharon Hart; two granddaughters, LaShana (Quincy) Compton and Marissa Hart, both of Canton; two grandsons, Timothy and Trevis Davis, both of Canton; four great– grandchildren,  JaNya Davis, and Nautika, Shawn, and Nikyla Compton, all of Canton, OH. Special mention must be made of a devoted daughter-in-law, Tracy Willis Hart who visited him faithfully during his lifetime, as well as during his illness and final days. A host of great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins and friends on both sides of his family all share in the grief of his loss.