Bill Blackwell

Billy (Bill) Blackwell, 84, of Hallsville, died September 7, 2016. He was born in Torch, MO on June 7, 1932 and grew up in Naylor, graduating from Naylor High School in 1950. He joined the United States Air Force in 1952 and was a Korean War Veteran. Upon returning to the states, Bill moved to Columbia in 1957, where he attended the University of Missouri on the G.I. Bill.

Many will remember Bill operating a Christmas tree farm as a side hobby when he lived on Rangeline Road east of Columbia. Bill worked 26 years at the University of Missouri in Extension Administration, spending his entire University career in Whitten Hall, retiring in 1992. On April 19, 1985 he married Beverly Windsor, and she survives.

Bill was a Life member of VFW Post 280 and a 34 year member of the Naylor American Legion Post 643. He was also actively involved in the Missouri Antique Tractor Pullers Association (MATPA) and Missouri River Valley Steam Engine Association (MRVSEA). As a mason, he was member of #169 AF&AM Masonic Lodge in Hallsville. Upon retirement, Bill and Beverly moved to Doniphan, MO, where Bill was active in VFW Post 3485 and served several years as Quartermaster. He enjoyed collecting and pulling antique tractors, sitting on his front porch, and playing with his grandkids and great-grandkids.

Bill is survived by the mother of his children, Doris Mauer; their daughter Vicki Blackwell Whitney; son Randy Blackwell; son Brent (Tammy) Blackwell; grandchildren: Lauren (Geoff) Karr, Blair Whitney, Blake (Kelly) Whitney; great-grandchildren: Kennedy and Beckett Karr. Also surviving are Beverly’s children: Stacie (John) Friedrich and Col. Jason (JoEllen) Windsor; grandchildren: Suzanne, Christine, and Joshua Friedrich, Zackary and Nathan Windsor. Bill is also survived by one sister, Ruth Huson of Patterson, MO, several nieces and nephews, and many, many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Raymond Blackwell and Catherine and George Allen; and brother-In-Laws: Jiggs Huson and Jimmie Beasley.

A visitation will be held at Memorial Funeral Home in Columbia on Saturday, September 10, 2016 from 11:00 am – 1:00pm. A visitation will also be held at Fowler-Sullivan Funeral Home, Neelyville, from 10:00 – 11:00am, followed by a graveside service in Naylor Memorial Cemetery on Monday, September 12 at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to the Naylor Memorial Cemetery, c/o Fowler-Sullivan Funeral Home, or a charity of choice.