William Richard Yeargain (Bolivar)'s Obituary
William Richard “Bill” Yeargain, was born November 26, 1921, in Quincy, Illinois, the son of Hayden and Fern Seeger Yeargain. He passed away November 9, 2012, at Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar, Missouri, at the age of ninety years, eleven months, and thirteen days.
On November 26, 1943, Bill was united in marriage to Opal Marie Ragsdale, and they shared fifty-eight years until her passing in 2001. To the union, five children were born.
In addition to his wife, Bill was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Charles Richard; his brothers, Harold and Donald Yeargain; and a son-in-law, Alvin Walter, Jr.
Bill leaves his son, Marvin “Bill” Yeargain and his wife, Pam, of Bolivar, Missouri; his daughters, Marcia Walter and her friend, Mike Sparkman, of Springfield, Missouri, Linda Thieman and her husband, Robert, of Lebanon, Missouri, and Phyllis Weeks and her husband, Don, of Banglor, India; eleven grandchildren; Robert Yeargain and his wife, Candy, Bolivar, Missouri, Sarah Yeargain and her husband, Kevin, Olathe, Kansas, Josh Yeargain, Los Angeles, California, Thad Yeargain, and his wife, Leslie, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Marilyn Egan, Little Rock, Arkansas, Erica Hopkins and her husband, Jacob, Willard, Missouri, Nathan Thieman and his wife, Kate, Springfield, Missouri, Lindsay Tobin and her husband, Cameron, Springfield, Missouri, Julie Richarme and her husband, Jason, Clearwater, Florida, Jonathan Weeks, Stockton, Missouri, Joy Bates and her husband, Daniel, Dallas, Texas, sixteen great-grandchildren; Jacob, Kasey and Devan Hall, Jennie and Will Yeargain, Ella and Ava Reynolds, Kyle and Bailey Egan, Lydia Zelk, Roman Hopkins, Sophia and Steve Thieman, Julian Richarme, Trinity and Christian Bates, his sisters Dorothy Gonzalez and Margaret Edmiston, both of Phoenix, Arizona; nieces, nephews, and many friends.
Born in Quincy, Illinois, Bill lived his early years in Illinois and Florida, then moved to Bolivar with his family, where he graduated from Bolivar High School in the Class of 1941. The United States entered World War II and he joined the U.S. Coast Guard, serving in Martinez, California. He and Opal were married a few years later and when the war ended, they returned to Bolivar with their new baby. They purchased the family business from Bill’s parents, operating the Yeargain Steel and Salvage, for over 50 years, then assisted his son in the daily operations until fully retiring fifteen years ago.
Bill and Opal were instrumental in founding the Berean Baptist Church in Bolivar in 1951. He served his Lord in the church as a Trustee, youth Sunday School teacher, and always supported the numerous missions of the church and children’s ministries. He had a strong compassion for the church and enjoyed the friendships that were formed there.
Bill loved his family and leaves a legacy of faith in God. He will be fondly remembered as a loving family man, Christian businessman, and patriotic citizen
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