Wilbert Bill Massey's Obituary
Wilbert Lee “Bill” Massey, son of Virgil Lee and Gladys Toby Massey, was born August 25, 1925, near Orla, Missouri. He departed this life Saturday, March 7, 2009, in Springfield Rehabilitation Center, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of eighty-three years, six months, and twelve days. On October 31, 1959, in Las Vegas, Nevada, he was united in marriage to Bonnie Eleanor Fisher, and to this union two daughters were born. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Waldo Massey; and two sisters, Wanda Harrison, and Joan McDonald. Bill is survived by his loving wife of almost fifty years, Bonnie, of the home; two daughters, Julie Harrelson, of Springfield, Missouri, and Dr. Barbara Pierce, and her husband, Brian, of Monett, Missouri; two grandchildren, Bethany and Braeden; a brother, John Massey, and his wife, Peggy, of Columbia, Missouri; two sisters, Myra Erickson, of Rancho Santa Margarita, California, and Marilyn Stempel, and her husband, Randall, of Ottumwa, Iowa; several nieces and nephews; two special sisters-in-law, Josephine Millard, of Phillipsburg, Missouri, and Pat Massey, of Riverside, California; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends. He was born and raised in the Orla, Missouri community, and attended Stoney Point School, before his family moved to Lebanon. As a teenager, he relocated to California, and joined the United States Navy in 1943, during World War II. He served on the USS Defense and the USS Guadalupe before leaving the Navy in 1947. He joined the United States Air Force in 1950, and faithfully served his country until 1973. Bill became a flight engineer and flew several missions during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He was proud to have served on the crew of the first around the world refueling flight in 1958. After Bill and Bonnie were married, they made their home in various locations while he was stationed at different bases. They were living at Selfridge Air Force Base in Michigan when both of their daughters were born. He eventually became a flight engineer instructor, and taught in simulators at March Air Force Base in California and at Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma. Bill retired from military service in 1973, and moved his family to Liberty, Missouri, where he was employed by the just completed Liberty Hospital. He worked as a bio-medical engineer, servicing medical equipment for seventeen years, retiring in 1982. For the last ten years, he and Bonnie had made their home in Springfield, Missouri. In his spare time Bill was an avid reader and also enjoyed watching western movies. His family was always very important to him and he especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and nieces and nephews. He and Bonnie were greatly anticipating their fiftieth wedding anniversary celebration later this year. Bill was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and all that he accomplished and will remember him as a devoted family man, a courageous military officer, a true patriotic citizen, and a good friend. Services will be at 2:00 pm on Tuesday March 10, 2009 in the Holman-Howe Funeral Home. Burial will be in Mt. Rose Memorial park. Visitation is Monday evening 7-8:30 pm at the funeral home under the direction of the Holman-Howe Funeral Home Lebanon, Missouri. Return to top
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