Billy J. Moore (Bolivar)'s Obituary
Billy Joe Moore, (84), passed away on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at his home with his wife by his side.
Bill was born in Adonis, MO on January 28, 1938 to Roy and Maggie Moore. He attended Union Grove School, and then Fair Play Schools until his senior year where he graduated from Lamar High School in 1956. Then he attended Draughon Business College in Springfield, MO.
He met his wife Letha when they were teenagers. She said, “He was a handsome guy.” They were married August 16, 1959, and they shared 63 wonderful years together.
Bill was employed in Lamar and worked in the fields for a while. Next, he worked at the Dayton rubber plant in Springfield, where they made rubber belts. He worked nights, and it was such a tough job. He would come home covered in black soot from head to toe. During this time his older brother Kenneth worked at the railroad, so he encouraged Bill to apply. He worked for Frisco Railroad in the office on Jefferson Street until they merged with Burlington Northern Railroad. There he worked as a clerk for 33 years until he retired in 1994.
He was a member of the Aldrich Christian Church. His grandchildren have fond memories of Grandpa taking them to get ice cream or candy after church at Hannah’s General Store. Bill also served in the National Guard and marched with President Truman during the dedication of the president’s birth home in Lamar. Later when he moved to Springfield, he transferred to the Army Reserve. Bill enjoyed farming and spending time with his family. His kind and positive nature shined through as he never complained and always saw the best in everyone. During retirement he hardly missed a day at the Over 50 Club where he played pitch with his friends. Bill will be remembered for his strong will and sense of humor. His grandchildren will remember his teasing about eating opossum pie, hiking to Old Piney, and listening to country music on the way home from church. Bill was a humble and tenacious spirit and will be missed by his family, friends, and community.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Wilbur and Kenneth, and his sister, Alice.
Bill is survived by his wife, Letha; two children Cindy Bruce (Ronnie), and Kelly Moore (Dana); six grandchildren, Heather Fitch (Charles), Carla Barker (Curtis), Brandon Bruce (Sherry), Billy Bruce (Kalena), Emily Lipe (Jonny), Haleigh Ankrom (Logan); and 12 great-grandchildren, Paige, Preston, Jackson, Hazel, Ada, Chloe, Riley, Oliver, Willa, Jake, Hiram, and Henley.
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