Bill Howard

William “Bill” Alexander Howard, 81 of Kirksville passed away Saturday, November 6, 2021 at his home.

The son of William “Bill” Alexander and Bess (Evans) Howard, he was born November 13, 1939 in Hannibal, Missouri. He was united in marriage to Sherry Pratte in Estes Park, Colorado in 1993.

Bill is survived by his wife Sherry; his children, Kelly Howard Taylor and husband Jeff of Prairie Village, KS, Kim Smith and husband Leonard of Cache, OK, Jason Howard and wife Jennie of Lagrange, GA and Kristin Howard of Winter Park, FL; seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Bill graduated from Hannibal High School in 1958 where he was a star basketball player. He continued playing basketball while attending Moberly Area Community College and then the University of Houston. After a stint in the United States Air Force he completed his degree at University of Florida. He worked as a Federal Air Marshal and flew international flights, and taught in the Lagrange, Missouri schools until the mid 1970’s when he moved to Kirksville to complete two Masters at Northeast and began working for Kirksville Osteopathic Medical Center until retiring in 1995. After retirement he worked several years as a Park Ranger at Rocky Mountain National Park and as a volunteer DAV transport driver.

He was a very big sports fan, following all sports. He loved to travel and especially loved spending time with family.

Bill will be cremated and a memorial service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements in the care of Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home; www.davisplaylehudsonrimer.com.