Bill Grant (Bolivar)'s Obituary
WBill Grant, age 83, of Bolivar, Missouri was reunited with the love of his life, Eulala in heaven on November 15, 2016. Bill, the son of Lester M & Lora Morton Grant was born on September 10, 1933 in Springfield, Missouri. He was raised on the farm in Morrisville, along with his older sister Susanne and younger brother Mark. Bill was baptized at the Brighton Baptist Church at an early age. He graduated from Marion C Early in 1951, continuing on to Southwest Missouri State where he met Eulala Bray. They were married on November 13, 1954 and celebrated 60 years before her death 1 yr and 10 months ago.
Bill and Eulala came to Polk County to start a dairy farm where they raised a son Kelly and daughter Kim. He actively pursued his passion for farming and his beef cattle operation continues to this day.
Together, Bill and Eulala founded Bill Grant Ford-Mercury in 1976. This year, the dealership is celebrating 40 years in business.
Bill served on the Morrisville School Board, Production Credit Association board, and Southern Division Board for Mid-America Dairyman. He was active in the Bolivar community, serving as a founding investor and board member of Bank of Bolivar, and a member of the First Baptist Church.
Bill and Eulala enjoyed traveling on many Heart of the Ozarks Model T Club tours in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, & Colorado in the 90's. Together, they hosted the national tour of 200 Model T's visiting Bolivar in 1994.
Bill was a charter member of the International Harvester Tractor Collectors Association and enjoyed attending Red Power Roundups across the country. Over the years, Bill restored an extensive collection of Farmall tractors.
Daughter Kim married Greg Horton from Fair Play in December 1982. Their children Bryan and David through the years, spent treasured time on the family farm with grandpa learning many life lessons.
Son Kelly married Anne Abney from Springfield in August, 1988. He joined the dealership 29 years ago. Bill was proud Kelly and Anne chose to reside on the family farm.
Preceding him in death are his parents Lester M and Lora (Morton) Grant, wife Eulala, in-laws Georgie & Ernie Bray, and sister-in-law Mary Sue Grant.
Survivors include daughter Kim and Greg Horton of Springfield, son Kelly and Anne Grant of Morrisville, grandsons Bryan and David Horton, sister Susanne and Virgil Walden of Trenton, brother Mark Grant of Kansas City. Nephews Dan and Terri Walden, Michael and Irina Grant, and Scott and Janis Grant. Nieces Gena and Carl Crowdis, and Jane and Tim Fischer and their families. Along with Bill’s extended family of cousins, great nieces and nephews.
Services are at 2 p.m. Sunday, November 20, at Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar with burial to follow at Slagle Cemetery south of Bolivar. Visitation is from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, November 19 at the funeral home chapel.
The family requests memorial contributions on Bill’s behalf be made to the First Baptist Church Living Beyond Us building campaign.
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