65 year old Billy “Janitor Billy” Colwell of Rock Island died Friday at Centennial Medical Center. He was retired from Powermatic and employed as Janitor at DeKalb County High School. Colwell was a ham radio operator and a member of the Mount Hope The Baptist Church. The funeral will be Monday at 3:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Virgil Hibdon, Greg Hibdon, and Dwight Knowles will officiate and burial will be in the New Union Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.; Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.; and Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the service at 3:00 p.m. He was preceded in death by his parents, Auvel and Annie Helen Reeder Colwell. Colwell is survived by his wife of 43 years, Joeneal Green Colwell of Rock Island. A daughter, Linda and her husband Joshua Parris of Rock Island. One son, Henry Lee and his wife Kathy Colwell of Rock Island. Three grandchildren, Heather Michelle and Patrick Lee Colwell and Carl Andrew Parris all of Rock Island. One sister and brother-in-law, Patty and Jerry Cantrell of Smithville. Two brothers and sisters-in-law, Kennith and Lois Colwell of Smithville, and Eddie and Sandra Colwell of Sparta. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. The family requests that donations be made to the Dibrell School Library, DeKalb County High School Library, or to Justin Potter Library, in lieu of flowers.
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