Rexford Eugene Gill, age 75, of Clay City, Illinois, passed away Sunday afternoon, November 22, 2020, at Marion VA Medical Center.

   He was born August 15, 1945, in Olney, Illinois, the son of John Rex and Carrie Ann (Hosselton) Gill.  He was united in marriage to Phyllis Reed on June 2, 1968, at Clay City Christian Church and together they have shared 52 years of marriage.

   Rexford attended Banker, Woodside, and Zif schools and was a 1963 graduate of Clay City Community High School.  After high school he attended Southern Illinois University for one year before transferring to Murry State University where he graduated in January 1969 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.  He enlisted in the Army in September 1969 and served during Vietnam in 1970.  Upon returning home he started working on his master’s degree from Southern Illinois University and graduated in 1973.  In August 1976, he graduated from Southern Illinois University with his doctorate degree of Philosophy in Physiology.  Rex returned home to farm and raise cattle and hogs with his dad and with the help of his dad, uncles, cousins, and brother-in-law he and Phyllis built their home.   He served as Commander of the Clay City American Legion for over 20 years, was a member of the VFW, and joined the AGR fraternity at Murray State.    

   He is survived by his wife: Phyllis Reed Gill; a son: Christopher Denton Reed Gill; a granddaughter: Carrie-Ann Gill; 2 brothers-in-law: Charles (Becki) Reed and Jay (Ann) Reed; uncles: Curt (Donna) Hosselton and Clyde (Sandra) Hosselton; aunts: Romana Hosselton and Virginia Gill; nephews: Jason (Becky) Reed and Jarrod (Tamara) Reed; niece: Andrea De La Vega; great-nephew: Jude Reed; great-nieces: Dahlia, Ali, Milla, and Emily; several cousins, including special cousins: Claren Hosselton, Larry (Kay) Hosselton, Steve Hosselton, Kylie Ramos, Loy (Tammy) Hosselton, Dana Hosselton, Jan (Tony) Hosselton, and Jill (Robbie) Hosselton Lewis, Pam O’Dell Young and daughter Heather, Steve O’Dell, Doug O’dell, and Connie, Debbie, Brian, and Ronnie Gill; and many special friends also survive.

   He was preceded in death by his parents: Rex and Carrie Ann Gill; grandparents: Roy and Ethel Gill, and Ernie and Ellen Hosselton; in-laws: C.D. and Sadie Reed; uncles and aunts: Cletis (Wilma) Hosselton, Carroll Hosselton, Wanda Hosselton, Shirley Appplegate, and Bill and Ronald Gill; and a cousin: Donny Gill.

   A graveside ceremony will be held 1 p.m. Friday, November 27, 2020, at Zif Cemetery with the presentation of military funeral honors.  Arrangements are in the care of Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.  Memorial donations are suggested to Clay City Fire Department and will be accepted through the funeral home.  To share a memory or condolence visit www.frankandbright.com