William “Bill” Edward Alexander son of the late Clyde and Ruby Lockhart Alexander was born on November 23, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan and passed away on July 27, 2013 at the Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau at the age of 80.
He was a Veteran of the United States Navy where he served on the USS Rochester operating in Korean water from 1952-1955. He served on the USS Toledo in the Pacific area from 1955-1956. After his service to the Navy, he joined the United States Air Force where he served in many locations including Guam and the Tuy-Hoa Air Base in Republic South Vietnam. He retired from the military in 1973.
He was a lifetime member of the American Legion, VFW and DAV. He was the past commander of the Nixa VFW, American Legion post #382 in Bloomfield, American Legion post #59 in Dexter. He also served as the vice commander of the American Legion District 14.
He was a thirty-second degree Mason and served as the Worshipful Master of Dexter Lodge #532 AF & AM. He was a member of the Eastern Star #311.
He was also a past member of the Stoddard County Honor Guard and a current member of the American Legion Post #59 Honor Guard.
On June 25, 1986 he was united in marriage to Virginia “Gigi” Coker in Malden. Mrs. Alexander survives of their home in Dexter.
Besides his wife he is survived by one son, Joe and wife Sonja Alexander of Panama City, Florida; by two daughters, Shelly and husband Gary Rusher of Dexter and Sharon Featherston of Dexter; by one step-son, Gary and wife Terri Worley of Puxico; by one step-daughter, Gina and husband Rick Gross of Newnan, Georgia; by eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Besides his parents he was preceded in death by one grandson, Robby Maddox, by one brother, Winfred Proffer and by one sister, Francis Hart Stafford.
Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, July 30, 2013 from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. with a Masonic service at 7:00 P.M.
Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at 10:00 A.M. in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel with Deacon Jim Long officiating.
Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield with Full Military Honors.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be made to the 18 Fore Life % Scott Kruse, 705 Laurie Circle, Dexter, Missouri 63841.
