William "Billy" Grider (Bolivar)'s Obituary
William “Billy” Gene Grider, lifetime member of Bolivar, Missouri. Survived by his wife of 54 years Judy Grider of Bolivar, daughters, Melissa Grider of Bolivar, Michelle Smith and Chad Smith of Dublin, Georgia, Melinda Piper and Dennis Piper of Bolivar; his sons, David Grider of Kansas and Mark Grider of Kansas City Missouri. His grandchildren, Blake Britain and Megan Campbell of Springfield, Mason Patrick of Branson, Skylar Bussard and Tyler Bussard of Pensacola, Florida, Destini Price of Dublin, Georgia, Zach Britain of Bolivar, and Seth Price of Dublin, Georgia; his great-grandchild, Jett William Bussard and future great-grandson, Tucker Lee Bussard of Pensacola, Florida.
Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Martha and Charles Grider; his brother Clarence “Bud” Grider and his wife Lillie Ruzicka Grider, and his brother, Paul Grider.
Billy was born in Springfield, Missouri July 20, 1940. He was a graduate of Marion C. Early in 1957. After a chance meeting in Springfield, he met the love of his life Judy and they were married in 1968. They welcomed Melissa in 1972, Michelle in 1974 and Melinda in 1977.
Billy had worked in the family store of Slagle Meat Market, Frisco, Associated Grocers, Lily Tulip and Builders Square. He worked for entertainers such as Tony Orlando and Wayne Newton, Johnny Cash and June Carter, The New York City Rockettes, but his all-time favorite job was Silver Dollar City where he retired in 2015.
Billy lived a colorful life and had a huge character; he never met a stranger. When Billy wasn’t following his daughters and grandchildren across the States, he would be catching a show in Branson or you could catch him in the middle of the field laying with his cows relaxing. He was a farmer and gardener and he liked to fish. He was an avid Kansas City Chiefs and Saint Louis Cardinals fan. He had been a lifetime member of the Gideon International Ministry. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Kimberling City.
Billy passed away peacefully surround by his family on September 28,2022, at Parkview Healthcare facility. He was 82 years old.
Services for Billy will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 3, 2022 at the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar, MO. Visitation will be held 2:00 PM - 4:00 p.m. Sunday, October 2, 2022 at the funeral home.
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