Rev. William "Bill" C. England (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Rev. William “Bill” Charles England, son of William Oliver England and Vera “Gladys” Hooper England was born June 17, 1931 in Lebanon, Missouri. He passed away Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at The Neighborhood at Quail Creek Skilled Nursing and Rehab in Springfield, Missouri at the age of ninety-three years, five months, and nine days.
Bill was born and raised in Lebanon and attended Lebanon schools. Bill left school in the tenth grade and went to work for his uncle at England Armature and briefly worked at Detroit Tool and Engineering before entering the United States Army. On February 17, 1951, Bill was united in marriage to Hazel Nadine Dampier and would spend the next 70 years by her side. To this union one son was born, Charles Douglas England. Bill also helped raise Hazel’s two younger sisters, Kay and Linda Dampier.
Bill was drafted into the Army and was stationed in Germany from 1952 to January 1954 where he served with honor. Hazel joined Bill in Germany in 1953. After returning home to Lebanon, Bill went to work for Vernon and Sons where he spent the majority of his career. In 1971, Bill decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a pastor. He was ordained in 1980 and continued to serve as pastor of Garfield Avenue Church of God until his death. He was devoted to his faith and his family, and was a faithful caregiver to Hazel in her final years.
In Bill’s spare time he especially enjoyed hunting and fishing with his son, family and friends. He was an exceptionally gifted engineer and machinist and followed in a long line of family blacksmiths. Bill spent many years repairing clocks and watches, and was well known for his ability to repair and restore guns. He could fix just about anything and had many inventions throughout his career.
Bill loved spending time with his family and especially enjoyed spoiling his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was also devoted to his church family and his calm demeanor and steady commitment to the Lord will be dearly missed by those who depended on him. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and a caring brother and uncle. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Gladys England; his wife, Hazel England; and his brother-in-law, Richard Lathrop.
He is survived by his son, Doug England and his wife Diana of Lebanon, Missouri; his grandchildren, Nathan England and wife Kendra of Rogersville, Missouri, and Alissa Jones of Republic, Missouri; three great-grandchildren, Graydon England, Garrett England, and Cason Jones; his sister, Betty Lathrop of Lebanon, Missouri; and a number of nieces and nephews, as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Bill England will be held Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Holman Howe Funeral Home in Lebanon, MO. Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 3, 2024 from 5:00-6:30 PM at Holman Howe Funeral Home in Lebanon, MO. Burial will be held in Mount Rose Memorial Park.
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