Bruce Handley (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Bruce Leroy Handley, son of Jewell Leroy and Bettie Ann Weaver Handley, was born June 14, 1957, in Lebanon, Missouri. He departed this life Monday, November 26, 2012, at East Texas Medical Center, in Clarksville, Texas, at the age of fifty-five years, five months, and twelve days.
On June 18, 1976, he was united in marriage to Debra Sue Boze, and to this union one son was born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-father, Claude Oren Myers; and his maternal and paternal grandparents.
Bruce is survived by his loving wife, Debbie, of the home; a son, Lucas Handley, of Lebanon, Missouri; four half-sisters, Chrystie Wade, and her husband, Bill, of Delaware, Oklahoma, Lorie Ann Davenport, of Lebanon, Missouri, Gail Hirt, and her husband, Mickey, of Long Lane, Missouri, and Lisa Myers, of Lebanon, Missouri; three step-brothers, Don Myers, and his wife, Wanda, of Lebanon, Missouri, Gary Myers, and his wife, Jeanie, of Branson, Missouri, and Bobby Myers, of Des Moines, Iowa; a step-sister, Susie Westbrook, of Lebanon, Missouri; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born and raised in the Lebanon area, and graduated from Lebanon High School in the Class of 1975. After he and Debbie were married, they made their home in Lebanon, and lovingly raised their son. Bruce worked at Lindsay’s Chevrolet for a time, and then was employed by Marathon Electric for several years. He also worked at Lebanon I-44 Speedway for a number of years. Later, he worked as a machinist for Detroit Tool Company in Lebanon, and then at Generation 3, where he worked until becoming disabled.
Bruce made his profession of faith in Christ and was baptized at an early age.
In his spare time he greatly enjoyed bow hunting for deer and turkey, and was a competitive bow shooter. He had hunted elk and bears in Colorado and Canada, and was a member of the Lebanon Area Bow Hunter’s Association. His personalized license plate indicates his nickname, “Bow Doc”. He was very interested in racing and had worked as a track official and on pit crews at I-44 Speedway. He was also a fan of NASCAR. He and Debbie enjoyed taking cruises and had been to Alaska and the Caribbean. His greatest joy came from spending time with his family, who he loved dearly, and his Shih Tzu dog, “Teddy”.
Bruce was a loving husband, father, brother, and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and know that his family and friends will treasure the wonderful memories he made for them throughout the years.
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