Bill W. Perkins, age 87, died January 5, 2025, in Wichita, Kansas., surrounded by his family.
He was born on February 17, 1937, to Mary Elizabeth Byford Perkins and William Gilbert Perkins on his family’s farm in Edwards County, Illinois, where he graduated from high school in 1955. He obtained his bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Illinois at Carbondale, Illinois in animal science and his master’s degree from the same university in animal nutrition.
He met his wife, Judith, in Freeport, Illinois in 1962. They married on June 12, 1965, in Freeport, Illinois and moved to Dexter, Missouri where he began employment with Monarch Feed Mills. The couple originally lived on Boucher Street and then purchased a home in 1975 outside the city limits with 17 acres where he kept the lawn trimmed with his Massey Ferguson tractor, and was also known for using it to pull neighbors out of the ditch or for plowing the road in a snowstorm.
Bill worked for Monarch Feed Mills over 20 years, first as a nutritionist and later as manager. In 1987, he began working as an independent consultant in animal nutrition, traveling to Ukraine, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Saudia Arabia, China, Philippines, and Thailand for business. Bill and Judy moved to Wichita, Kansas in 2015, where he continued to display unwavering love and devotion to his precious wife to the very end. He was an enthusiast for human nutrition and natural healing, generously helping many who crossed his path. His seriousness was often dispelled by his dry wit and hearty laugh. He loved dancing in his cowboy boots, waterskiing, and playing tennis. Bill was an active member of the United Methodist Church wherever he lived.
Bill was previously deceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife Judith Perkins of Wichita, Kansas and sister Paralee (Perry) Perkins of Oswego, Illinois. He is also survived by three daughters: Joan Perkins of Washington, D.C.; Janice Perkins of Wichita, Kansas; and Jill Perkins Hare of Greensboro, North Carolina. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Mia and Elena Shaker, Asher and Giya Fairbairn, and Evelyn and Lydia Hare.
A private family memorial service was held on January 6. Donations can be made to Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 1550 N. Chapel Hill Street, Wichita, Kansas (316-684-1117) in his memory.
Jerry Dale Lay, son of the late Ernest T Collins and Grace Collins, was born on April 24, 1949, in Dexter, Missouri, and departed this life on January 15, 2025, at Mercy Hospital Stoddard in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 75 years.
Mr. Lay was a Veteran of the United States Army, serving in Korea and he was a former heavy equipment operator for Noranda Aluminum. He attended Temple Baptist Church in Sikeston, Missouri, and was a resident of Dexter, Missouri. He enjoyed tinkering with small engines.
On November 1, 1968, in Sikeston, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Belinda Sartin. Mrs. Lay preceded him in death on November 21, 2020.
He is survived by his son, Robert Lay and his wife Jennifer of Dexter; by his brother and sisters, Robert Turnage, Robin Turnage and Connie McRoy; by four grandchildren, Ashley Lay, Brittani Lay, Jordan Lay, and Matthew Dobbs; and by many great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Tim Griffin officiating. Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield with full military honors.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangement
Billy Gene Swinney, of Dexter, Missouri, was born on June 21, 1950, to the late Chester Emry Swinney and Virginia Bell Swinney in Sikeston, and departed this life peacefully on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at his home surrounded by his immediate family in Dexter at the age of 74 years.
Bill graduated from Sikeston High School in Sikeston, Missouri in 1968. Following high school, he pursued a career in truck driving at Mid-South/Worthing Ag Parts for over 40 years. A profession that allowed him to travel the country and meet people from all walks of life. His stories from the road were legendary among his family and friends. He met and married Anna in 1968. They have celebrated 56 years of marriage.
Bill was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a friend to many. Bill cherished time with his family and continued to share his wisdom, humor, and love with those around him. Bill’s warmth and humor were constants in his life, endearing him to all who knew him. Bill loved to read, watch Cardinal baseball, football games, enjoyed working in the yard and being outdoors. Bill will be greatly missed!!
Bill loved the Lord and was a member of First Baptist Church in Dexter, Missouri for years. Recently, Bill become a member of First Baptist Church in Bernie, Missouri.
He is survived by his wife, Anna Swinney of Dexter, Missouri; by two brothers, Paul David Swinney of Puxico, Missouri, and Tim Swinney of St Louis, Missouri; by three daughters, Pamela Kay Swinney of Dexter, Missouri; Tammy Marie (Rodger) Pitt of Cascade, Colorado, and Billie Jean (Ken) Stratton of Dexter, Missouri; by eight grandchildren, Terry Beane Jr., Brittany Beane, Mitchell Beane, Gavin Northcutt, Brandon Pitt, Jadyn Bond, Courtney Northcutt and Stacy Gammon, and by seventeen great grandkids.
Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Chester “Butch” Swinney.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Friday, January 17, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, January 17, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. with Pastor Brandon Pitt and Pastor Gary Gilbert officiating.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Freeda Waggoner, daughter of the later Johnie Pruett and Mary (Osburn) Pruett was born on June 22, 1936 in Aquilla, Missouri and departed her life on Monday, January 6, 2025 at Winchester Nursing Center in Bernie, Missouri at the age of 88 years.
Mrs. Waggoner was a homemaker and former owner and operator of Waggoner’s Market in Dexter. She was a member of the Bridge Church of Christ and a former resident of Dexter. Above all, she loved her family dearly. Her children, Grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were her greatest joy. She loved her flowers and watching the birds outside her window. Mrs. Waggoner was a great cook and seamstress.
On October 8, 1954 she was united in marriage to Verlin Waggoner in Dexter, Missouri. Mr. Waggoner preceded her in death on November 23, 2012.
Survivors include two daughters, Sue Waggoner-Flowers and Sandra (Eric) Basham; by one son, Kenneth Waggoner; five grandchildren, Alana (Jeff) Davis, Chad Parris, Kristen (Scott) Mattingly, Bethany (David) Rudd, and Logan Waggoner; eleven great-grandchildren, Kindra, Warren, and Waylon Parris, Dalton , Wyatt, and Clara Mattingly, Brianna(Tommy) Wright, Bryson McRoy, Reese Waggoner, Oliver Barney, and Willow Rudd; two great-great-grandchildren, Avery and Ava Wright; one brother, Cletus (Sharon) Pruett; also, by many nieces and nephews.
Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Edsel Pruett, Loran Pruett, and Carman Pruett; four sisters, Clodina Mann, Velda Metcalf, Lora Lee Cox, and Verma Nancy Pruett.
Graveside services will be conducted on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. at the Chalk Bluff Cemetery in rural Dexter, Missouri. Interment will follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made out to 18 Fore Life, 705 Laurie Circle, Dexter, MO 63841 or St. Jude’s children’s hospital, Memphis, TN.
Rita Darline Stallings, daughter of the late Henry Albert Moser and Goldie Ellen Wilson Moser, was born in Sikeston, Missouri on June 27, 1949 and departed this life at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri on January 12, 2025 at the age of 75.
Mrs. Stallings had worked at Elder Manufacturing in Dexter, Missouri, and was a homemaker and a resident of Bernie.
She was united in marriage to Kenneth Earl Stallings in Benton, Missouri on March 27, 1988. Mr. Stallings survives in their home in Bernie.
Other survivors include one son, Billy Griffin & wife Christy of Bernie, Missouri; by three step-daughters, Tryna Mitchell & husband Scott and Melissa Currie & husband Mike all of Dexter, and Sherry Stallings of Mount Morris, Michigan; by two brothers, Sonny Moser of Bloomfield, Missouri and Butch Moser of Sikeston, Missouri; by three sisters, Della Jones of Sikeston, Missouri, Bobbie Moser and Jerry Hinman both of Dexter, Missouri; by eight grandchildren, Riley Griffin, Sydney Griffin, Hannah Wilson, Hayli Finch, Kayla High, Zeth High, Jessica Pumfrey and Nathan Pumfrey; by several great-grandchildren; also by other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death other than by her parents, by one sister, Linda Crider.
No services are being planned at this time. Mathis Funeral Home of Bernie is assisting with arrangements.
