William died suddenly at Mabie Southside at the age of 89. Having lived in Hollister his entire life, William was born at Hazel Hawkins Hospital on Monterey Street. He graduated from Union School and Hollister High School. He then worked on his father’s Union and Fairview ranches, while he worked as a deputy recorder, clerk and auditor. He was then drafted into the Army and spent 1 ½ years between the United States, England, France and Germany. When he returned he met Lucille Hoagland at her parents’ restaurant, Bishop Cafe. They were married in Reno, NV on July 30, 1947 and returned to Hollister. He worked about 15 years for Wm. Flint Shell Oil Co. then he delivered mail out of Hollister to Tres Pinos, Paicines, Pinnacles, San Benito, Hernandez, Panoche and New Idria. At the same time, he and his wife worked both ranches. They both retired in 1990. William is survived by his children, Diana Tilley and her husband, John Tilley of Coalinga, CA and Robert A. Blacklock and his wife, Laura Blacklock of Hollister. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Michael Tilley, Jennifer Courtney, Sarah Blacklock and her husband, Manuel Rivera and Rebecca Blacklock, great- grandchildren, Cameron, Justin and Trevor Courtney. Willliam is also survived by a sister, Loraine Johnson of Santa Clara and many nieces and nephews and in-laws, John Hoagland, Barbara Griffin and Lucy Hoagland. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wm. A. and Alma Blacklock, wife Lucille, in-laws, John and Louise Hoagland, Maxine Ferraro, Billy Joe Hoagland, Roy Johnson, Vivian Hoagland, nephew, David Farraro and niece Barbara Ferraro.
Graveside services will be held on Monday, August 3, 2009, at 1:00 P.M. at the IOOF Cemetery on Buena Vista Rd. in Hollister. Friends are invited to attend.
