William E. “Bill” Oberling age 86, of Payson, died on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 7:15 a.m. in his home.
Bill was born in Quincy on January 19, 1935 a son of Wilbur Lee and Margaret (Knoblock) Oberling. Bill married Betty Lou Mayfield on March 3, 1956 in Quincy and she preceded him in death on April 2, 2006.

Professionally, Bill was an Auctioneer and Livestock Dealer. As a young boy Bill was fascinated by books about the old west and horses. He loved to play sports and ride his bike around Payson. So much so he was hit by a car on his bike which supposedly threw him up in the air above the power lines and knocked the wind out of him with no injuries! He had a horse named Lucky that he rode to win many trophies at rodeos and horse races. Lucky lived to be 27. At age 17 Bill and his best friend Jan Curry wanted to be horse riders for a living so they loaded up and drove to Oklahoma to get horse riding jobs. With none of those jobs to be found Jan hauled chicken feed from Kansas while Bill worked for “Digger Dan” the post hole man digging post holes and fighting brush fires in hot Oklahoma, those Jobs lasted two days and Jan and Bill decided to draw their pay of $5.00 and head back home to Payson. At age 18 Bill became a ringman and auctioneer at the Rushville, IL sale barn. After getting married to Betty they settled on a dairy farm in Missouri. The Oberlings decided that that life was not for them and they bought a house and 60 acres east of Payson to raise their family. Bill worked as an order buyer for Interstate Producers with his friend Arsenius (Speed) Flesner. The company told him to buy a company car to visit farmers but not to buy it with air conditioning. Bill disagreed and paid for the AC himself and promptly was fired! He then worked for different order buyers driving to an auction or two every day. During the Flood of 73 he chartered an airplane just to fly to Missouri to get to the auction. Bill was one of the first to have a mobile phone in his car so he would not miss a call. He also had one installed in the bathroom because missing a call was the worst thing you could do. Bill and his family built a hog buying station near his house and opened it in 1975 against his old company Interstate Producers and was very successful eventually operating 5 stations in Illinois and Missouri. In 1978 Bill purchased the Rushville sale barn with a partner where Bill had started working at age 18. A year later Betty told him to buy his partner out because he had always wanted to run an auction barn on his own so he did and Schuyler Livestock Sales, Inc. was born and became a huge success. He came up with “The Special Bred Cow Sales”, “Special feeder calf sales.” and advertising in multiple newspapers with weekly prices. Bill and Betty gave away numerous hats, coats, pens, calendars and the like to all the customers. Bill and Betty worked hard for the community of Payson. Bill was a Lions Club member and he was a huge part in building the high school ball diamond and refurbishing it. He loved to watch his kids play sports when he wasn’t on the road buying cattle. Bill was nicknamed “Hollywood” by his friends in the auction and order buying business because of how sharp he dressed in is western attire. He was a man who would help anyone in need, especially neighbors. Bill had no use for liars and people who were less than honest in business. He worked 60-80hr. weeks and built a huge business which took its toll on his health, but he fought through every challenge. He taught his family to be honest, work hard, never leave anything unfinished, if you borrow something bring it back better than you found it, help people when you can, and give your best, ALWAYS! He played as hard as he worked and will be missed greatly in this life. He bought, sold, and hauled cattle until he was well into his 80’s. Some of his last words were ” Keep up the good work” and we all should.

He was a member of Payson United Methodist Church. Bill was a former member of Spring Lake Country Club, where he and Betty enjoyed golfing.

Survivors include his four children: Sheila Oberling of Quincy; Jeffrey (Melissa) Oberling of Tulsa, OK; Jaime (Michelle) Oberling of Plainville, IL and Billie Jo (Craig) Hardy of Diamond, MO.
His dear friend Joan Dietrich; A sister, Carole Oberling of Washington State; Nine Grandchildren, Matthew (Becky Voth) Yeomans; Nathan (Brooke) Yeomans; Michael (Vivian) Oberling; Dylan (Jill) Oberling; Justin Oberling; Ashley Oberling; Bree (Ty) Johnston; Chance (Katherine) Hardy and Cort Hardy. 3 Great-Grandchildren, Gannon Collins, Sloane Oberling and Brooks Hardy and nieces and nephews also survive.

In addition to his wife, Bill was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Evelyn, Marion, Melvin, Carlin, Norma Jean and Robert.

The family extends their gratitude to Bill’s doctors and nurses who worked hard taking care of Bill, to Blessing Hospice and Addus Homecare for their support and compassion and thanks to the doctors and nurses from Quincy Medical Group for their help with Bill’s dialysis.

Funeral Services will be Monday, May 3, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. in Duker & Haugh Funeral Home by Pastor Todd Hastings. Interment will be in Quincy Memorial Park. Visitation on Sunday from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Duker & Haugh Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to Payson Seymour Sports, Shriners Children’s Hospital or to Blessing Foundation for HOSPICE.