William Hallie Alexander

William Hallie Alexander, 96, of Unionville, MO, passed away on Thursday, December 5, 2019, at the Bristol Manor. His wife, Cleta (Roof) Alexander, preceded him in leaving this world March 5, 2008. In Hallie’s 96 years on this earth he survived histoplasmosis, colon cancer, triple by-pass heart surgery…. and the death of his one true love, Cleta.

Hallie was the son of William Alexander and Courtney (Hendrix) Alexander.  He was born on April 16, 1923, in Lucerne, MO. Hallie and Cleta were married December 30, 1945, and had been married 62 years when Cleta passed. Family and friends were surprised Hallie survived without Cleta for over 10 years.

Hallie fought in WWII. Although he never claimed to be in the thick of the fighting, the war left an emotional mark on Hallie. For many years after, he would gather up Cleta and their 3 kids and head for the cellar or basement at the first sounds of thunder and lightning. Cleta waited for Hallie while he was off fighting WWII and when he came home, they were married. For the first 4 or 5 years after Hallie married Cleta they lived in town, Unionville, MO. Hallie was a top-notch mechanic and spent a few years working at the John Deere dealer in Unionville before finally giving in to the wishes of his parents to become a farmer in Putnam County. His mechanical and jury-rigging skills served him well on the farm. He could fix almost anything that needed repairing. With assistance from family and friends he remodeled the kitchen and helped the professionals dig trenches, lay pipe from the pond to the house and finally achieved indoor running water in 1962.

They sold the farm and moved to Unionville in 1997. Hallie liked living in the country; but, finally gave Cleta her dream to live in town. A few years before moving to town and for the next 10 years he applied his skills to woodworking. Turned out he was pretty good at it….he made bookcases, end tables, coffee tables, dressers, etc. After moving to Unionville, Hallie also used his excess energy to mow several yards for other people. He was physically strong and active well into his upper 80’s. He was often seen climbing up a tree with a chain saw to remove some unwanted branches….a hard man to stop. But, he eventually sold his house and moved into a senior apartment in Unionville for a few years before moving to Bristol Manor for the remaining 3 years of his life.

Ninety-Six years is a pretty long life and, therefore, his passing is not a tragedy; but rather the natural conclusion of life. His children and grandchildren had the utmost respect and love for Hallie. All agree that he is one of the “good guys.” Hallie and Cleta were living examples of kindness. His family remembers Hallie worked a 40-hour week in factories in Centerville and Milan in addition to full time farming for many years. Hallie was a hard worker, a provider for, and a protector of his family.

His absence from this world is noticed and he will be sorely missed. Hallie is survived by his 3 children; Stanley Alexander of Phoenix, AZ; Darwin Alexander and wife, Debbie, of Unionville, MO; and Karen Rohde and husband, Bill, of Sunrise Beach, MO. Seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren also survive.

Funerals Services for Hallie will be held at the Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 11, at 11:00 am. His visitation will be the night prior, December 10, between the hours of 5:00 - 7:00 pm. Interment will be at the Unionville Cemetery.

Memorials for Hallie are suggested to either the Unionville Cemetery or the Lemons American Legion and may be entrusted with the Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO, 63565.