Mr. William C. Blackburn, better known as "Bill", age 74 of West Jefferson, passed away Friday evening, March 18, 2011 at his residence. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 24, 2011 at 3:00pm at Blue Ridge Baptist Church with his nephew, Dean Blackburn officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2:00-3:00pm on Thursday one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Mr. Blackburn was born in Ashe County to the late Raleigh and Helen Haire Blackburn. He retired from Baltimore Police Force. He moved to Ashe County 25 years ago and resided in the Ildewild community. He loved to play his banjo and listen to bluegrass music. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Harold Blackburn. Mr. Blackburn is survived by two daughters, June Blackburn Parsons and husband, Gwyn, of Boone and Jeannie Blackburn Hickman and husband, Bob, of Haw River, NC; a brother, Clay Blackburn and wife, Alene, of Wilkesboro; two sisters, Charlotte Blackburn Elliott and husband, Carroll, of Todd and Wanda Blackburn Terry and husband, Bill, of Lenoir; a former spouse and close friend, Pat Perkins, f Boone; three grandchildren, Kelly Parsons Melton and husband, Terry, of Boone, Erin Parsons, of Boone and Ariel Parsons, of Boone; a granddog, Precious Hickman; nine nieces and nephews also survive. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to: Blue Ridge Cemetery, c/o Marlette Cullen, 873 Helen Blevins Road, West Jefferson, NC 28694.