Bill Detwiler

Bill Detwiler
Billy Eugene Detwiler, 89 of Kirksville passed away Friday (January 25, 2013) at Twin Pines Adult Care Center.
The son of Victor and Mable (Roby) Detwiler, he was born October 23, 1923 in Winigan, Missouri. On September 7, 1946 in Kansas City, Missouri he was united in marriage to Jaunita Bennett.
Bill is survived by his wife of 66 years, Jaunita; two daughters, Vicky Williams and husband John of Kirksville and Joyce Kerwin and husband Paul of Tucson, AZ; grandchildren, Tanya and Kevin Playle, Amy and Aaron Dent, Brian Snodgrass and Jeff and Amy Snodgrass; great grandchildren, Zachary and Ashley Playle, Andrew and Addison Dent, Haley, Bradley, Ryan, Hannah and Zachary Snodgrass; one brother, Ronald Detwiler of Independence, MO; sister-in-law, Mary Maye Bennett of Kirksville; nephews, Billy and Bonnie Bennett of Brashear, MO and David and Laurie Bennett of Richland, IA great nieces and nephews, Adam, Alex, Austin and Avery Bennett, Paula Clarkson, Bambi Fox, and Chuck Laird; and a special cousin, Helen DeLaney.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his step mother, Elsie Detwiler; two sisters, Betty Bailey and Freda Henderson and a brother-in-law, Donald Bennett.
Bill graduated from the Green City High School in 1941. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corp working in Iowa and Lake of the Ozarks. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II from February 1943 until discharged in October of 1945. He served in five major battles and campaigns in Normandy, Ardennes, Central Europe, Northern France and Rhineland. He received the European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign Medals and five bronze stars. He worked for J. Burdman Auto Parts for 20 years, for Updyke Motor Company for 20 years and for Lovegreens for 4 years until he retired.
He was a member of the Kirksville Moose Lodge for over 50 years and had served as Governor and was active on the ritual team. He was also a member of the V.F.W. Post 2508 and the NEMO trail riders. He enjoyed raising cattle, bird dogs and playing golf. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching local sports teams, his grandkids and was well known by all local sports officials.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday (January 28, 2013) at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home with Reverend Richard Northcutt officiating. Burial with military rites will be in Park View Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Aaron Dent, Kevin Playle, Zachary Playle, Andrew Dent, Brian Snodgrass, Jeff Snodgrass, Billy Bennett and David Bennett.
Visitation with the family will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday with a Moose service to be held at 6:00 p.m. at the
Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home
2100 E. Shepherd Ave.
Kirksville, MO 63501   660-665-2233
Memorials in memory of Bill can be left in Bill Detwiler’s name to be used for Kirksville High School baseball and softball.