Billy Lee Allison, 78, of Advance was born June 22, 1929, at Kennett, the son of Arthur and Pearl Clay Allison, and died Tuesday, April 10, 2007, at the Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

Billy retired from the railroad where he had been a mail handler at the Terminal Union Station in St. Louis. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in the Korean War. He was of the Baptist faith.

Billy and Marie Jones were united in marriage on Dec. 6, 1959, at St. Louis, and she survives of the home.

Other survivors include eight sons, Steven Allison of Herrin, Ill., Bobby Hill of Advance, Billy Dale Allison of Palmer, Alaska, Samuel Allison of Park Hills, Ricky Lee Allison of Park Hills, Terry Hill of Jackson, Tim Hill of Advance and Mark Allison of Advance; 20 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Dianne Allison; a brother; and a sister.

Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, April 12, 2007, at the Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, April 13, 2007, in the Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance with Rev. LeeRoy Hefner officiating.

Interment will follow in Morgan Memorial Park at Advance.