James Neil Allison, age 77, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Sunday, March 17, 2024, at Flora Rehabilitation & Health Care Center.

     He was born May 30, 1946, in Flora, the son of David and Fern (Tackitt) Allison.  He was united in marriage to Phyllis Darline Byers on April 24, 1965, and together they have shared 58 wedding anniversaries.

     Jim will be remembered for his strong work ethic.  He worked many years in the local oil fields, working for Bangert Oil and several other area oil companies.  He had also worked for Valley Steel.  He enjoyed time spent fishing, especially with his sons and grandsons.

     He is survived by his wife: Phyllis Allison of Flora; son: Tony N. Allison of Flora; 2 daughters-in-law: Shelly (Scott) Billington of Rinard and Candy (Cary) Cunningham of Flora; 6 grandchildren: Jodi Cox of Olney, Brandon Allison of Flora, Tara Stanford of Flora, Cody Allison of Sumner, Jeremiah Allison of Xenia, and Zach Allison of Rinard; great-grandchildren: Ian, Lillian, Carter, Emma, Kyrah, Kenedee, Bradon, Savannah, Cailyn, Braxton, and Camden; siblings: Regina (Robert) Bricker of Xenia and Connie (Gary) Hilderbrand of Olney; brothers-in-law: Delane Byers of Mattoon, Cleone (Dolly) Byers of Mt. Zion, and Bob (Brenda) Byers of Mason; sisters-in-law: Nancy Byers of Louisville, Sandy Byers of Flora, and Dee Strange of Ft. Wayne, Indiana; and several nieces and nephews.

     He was preceded in death by his parents; a son: Wayne Allison; great-grandson: Clayton Stanford; brother: LaVerne Strange; stepmother: Maxine (Caudle) Allison; and 2 brothers-in-law: Sam Byers and Randy Byers.

     A funeral ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.  Interment will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Xenia.  A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.  Memorial donations are suggested to the family to assist with final expenses, and these will be accepted through the funeral home.  To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com