Billy Paul Dudley (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Billy Paul Dudley, son of Rev. Billy “Bill” Wayne and Lillie Marie Mills Dudley, was born January 20, 1964, in Bartlesville Oklahoma. He departed this life Friday, June 28, 2019, at his home in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of fifty-five years, five months, and seven days.
On June 8, 1985, he was united in marriage to Mary Beth Nevils, and to this union one daughter and two sons were born.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents; William “Bill” and Hester Dudley and Edvun “Ed” and Gladys Mills.
Paul is survived by his wife, Mary Dudley, of Lebanon, Missouri; a daughter, Kylie Shannon, and her husband Corey, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; two sons, Caleb Dudley, and his wife, Lyndsey, of Birch Tree, Missouri, and Cory Dudley, of Lebanon, Missouri; four grandchildren, Luke, Miles, Violet, and James Dudley; his parents, Rev. Billy “Bill” and Lillie Dudley, of Lebanon, Missouri; a brother, Clifton Dudley, and his wife, Judy, of Windsor, Missouri; two sisters, Linda Dudley, of Lebanon, Missouri and Beverly Dudley, of St. Robert, Missouri; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Paul was born in Oklahoma and then moved to Waynesville, Missouri when he was young. He later graduated from Moberly High School in the Class of 1982. After high school, Paul attended William Jewell College. It was there, that he met, fell in love with and proposed to Mary. They were married on the William Jewell College campus in 1985.
After graduation, he and Mary moved to Lebanon where Paul began teaching history at Lebanon High School. It was at that same time Paul began a career as a mainstay coach for Jacket Nation. His legacy began as a junior high football coach and assistant varsity baseball coach under Dave Plassmeyer. After sixteen years as assistant baseball coach, he took over the helm for an additional nine years as head varsity baseball coach at Lebanon High School. Paul was then an assistant baseball coach at Summersville High School with his son, Caleb, for three years. During this time he served in the Missouri High School Baseball Coach’s Association (MHSBCA) and as the FCA Leader for Missouri High Schools.
Early in his life, Paul accepted Christ and was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Lebanon, Missouri, where he served as a Deacon. His faith was central in his life and shaped his view of everything. He used sports and his approach to education to point everyone to Christ. Paul and Mary were Co-Student Relations Coordinators for the Operation Christmas Child Program and in 1999 Paul founded the Eternal Pastime ministry, for which he was inducted into the Lebanon Sports Hall of fame in 2017.
Paul had a quick wit and a great sense of humor. He enjoyed fishing and attending all of his family’s sporting events. He loved his family dearly and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
Paul was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, coach, and was a caring neighbor and friend. The love he showed for his children and family was just a glimpse of the Father’s love for us. We celebrate his life and know he will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.
Memorial to Eternal Pastime.
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