Dr. Leslie Wegener “Dub” Williams was surrounded by his loving family and fortified by his faith, left this world behind and passed on, into the next, on September 29, 2021.
He was born on August 14, 1930, at home, in Raytown, Missouri. He grew up there and in the Hickman Mills area, living across the street from the Harry S. Truman family farm for a time. He enjoyed telling stories about encountering (then Senator) Truman while Dub and his brothers were bailing hay on that land. Dub graduated from Ruskin High School in 1948, representing the Eagles on the gridiron, and serving as class president.
From there, (like his brothers) he went on to attend the University of Missouri. An animal lover from the start, in 1954, Dub earned his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the university. He was a member of Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society of Agriculture and graduated second in his class from veterinary school.
After graduation, Dub conducted chemical research as a Second Lieutenant for the U.S. Army, then worked as a U.S.D.A inspector in Kansas City, while also seeing patients from a start-up veterinary clinic at his home. In the late 1950s, he founded the Hickman Mills Animal Hospital. He soon became known as a trusted and caring veterinarian in the growing area, and simply as “Doc” at the local drugstore lunch counter. He was also an impactful leader in the community. Instrumental in the chartering of Bannister Bank — and other local real estate development — his extensive involvement included (but was certainly not limited to) serving as the president of both the Hickman Mills Chamber of Commerce and the Democratic Forum, Inc., community liaison for the nearby Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base, and a committee chairman for Consolidated School District #1. He was also a Master Mason (and Shriner) and member of the Lions Club.
After building his successful veterinary practice, Dub earned his certification in veterinary ophthalmology at the University of Florida-Gainesville in the late 70’s. He then was appointed as veterinarian for the city of Las Vegas, Nevada. There, he also practiced his specialty — providing vision care for small animals, celebrities’ pets, prized horses and police dogs, and even the big cats of “Siegfried & Roy.”
Dub finished his career in animal science in Dexter, Missouri, as a veterinary supervisor for the U.S.D.A. He returned to the Kansas City area in 2020 to become a resident of the Brookdale Independent Senior Living Community on 119th Street. He will be remembered there for his kindness, his genteel manners, and tremendous gratitude.
A man of great faith, Dub had been an active member of the Hickman Mills Community Christian Church, and sought out a church community wherever he was living. He enjoyed teaching Sunday school, serving as an elder, participating in prison outreach ministry, and shared the teachings of the Bible up until his very last days.
Yet, for all of his accomplishments, Dub will be remembered most as a great storyteller, an easy charmer, a ready bestower of nicknames, a generous soul, an incredibly hard worker, and a proud and loving father. And even if you had only met him once, you would also think of him as a true friend.
Dub is preceded in death by his parents, Leslie N. and Velma S. Williams; his brother, George P. (and wife Loretta) and Don E. Williams; his daughter, Valerie Simpson; and sons-in-law, Rich Reid and John Kelly. He is survived by his [partner: Bonnie Meritt; (the mother of his children: Lois Williams Swezey): children: Greg Williams (Derri O’Brien), Cheri Kelly, and Renée Hense (Jim): and son-in-law, Chuck Simpson. He will be missed greatly by his grandchildren: Kelsey, Rowan, Linden, Eleanor, Charlie and Anton, as well as his dear and devoted nieces and nephews, and other family members.
Visitation will be held from 11 a.m., with a Celebration of Life to follow at 12:30 p.m., on Monday, October 4, 2021, at First Baptist Church, 100 W. Red Bridge Road, Kansas City, Missouri.
Memorial contributions may be made to the University of Missouri School of Veterinary Medicine.
Sharon Michelle Trammell (Burke), daughter of the late James and Marguerite Burke, was born October 6, 1958, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri and departed this life at her home in Dexter on September 27, 2021, at the age of 62.
She and Jay Trammell met when they were in Junior High, and dated 7 years before they were united in marriage on September 25, 1982, in Dexter, Mo. Loving survivors include her husband of 39 years, her brother, Jim (Teri) Burke of Jackson and her 3 nephews, Travis, Brian, and Jared. Also surviving are a sister and brother-in-law, Jill and Gary Lytton of Pennsylvania, and niece, Christen (Kenny) Tilley of Dexter. Many other relatives and friends also survive.
Sharon was a lifelong resident of Dexter where she graduated high school in 1977. She worked as a chiropractic assistant for Dr. Bradshaw for several years as well as for Dr. Jibbon. Sharon enjoyed a long career as an Educational Assistant at the University of Missouri Extension Office, retiring in 2005. She touched countless young lives and their families during her home visits and in her nutrition classes in the Stoddard County elementary schools. She was also involved for many years with the Christmas Angel Program. It was not uncommon for former students to come up to her and share their fond (and often funny) memories of her visits, usually followed by big hugs.
Sharon was a blessing to all who loved and cared for her and will be missed by those that enjoyed her friendship, kindness, compassion, laughter, and many funny stories. Her compassion also extended to animals, never meeting an animal she didn’t love and often rescue.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and father- and mother-in-law, Judge Jimmy and Judy Trammell. She was a member of Dexter First Church of the Nazarene and is now in Heaven where a new Angel resides.
Visitation will be Thursday, October 7, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter followed by a Celebration of Life at 2:00 p.m. Be prepared to share your favorite memories. Dress is casual.
Memorial contributions may be given in Sharon’s memory to Dexter Animal Shelter, c/o Mathis Funeral Home, 125 W Stoddard Street, Dexter, Missouri 63841.
Kenneth Wayne “Kenny” Hickson Jr., son of Kenneth Hickson Sr. and Jelane Hopkins Hickson, was born on September 17, 1965, in Dexter, Missouri, and departed this life on September 26, 2021, at his residence in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, at the age of 56 years.
Mr. Hickson was a Veteran of the United States Marines. He was an employee of L & M Machine, working as a punch press operator and he was President of the Wappapello Eagles Aerie #4066.
He is survived by his parents, Kenneth and Jelane Hickson Sr. of Essex, Missouri, by his daughter, Danielle Dockins and husband Nathan of Bloomfield, Missouri; by his son, Jason Findley of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, by his brother, Richard Hickson and wife Saundra of Bloomfield, Missouri; by six grandchildren, Alaina Dockins, Alyssa Dockins, Aiden Dockins, Cameron Findley, Jordan Findley, and Teagan Findley; by his great-grandson, Colten Findley; and by his nephew, Drew Hickson of Essex, Missouri.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Thursday, September 30, 2021, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, October 1, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. John Harwell officiating.
Lynnette Michelle Drysdale of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, born to Marion and Clara (Kimbrell) Drysdale on May 15, 1966 in St. Louis County, Missouri, passed away on September 25, 2021 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri at the age of 55 years.
Lynnette is survived by her parents Marion and Clara Drysdale, sisters Robin Rodriguez and Kim (Tom) Bene, nephews Patrick Bene, Ernesto Rodriguez, Camilo Rodriguez and Sebastian Rodriguez, and niece Jessica (Clint Piper) Bene. She was preceded in death by her grandparents Lester and Marcella Kimbrell and Isaac and Callie Drysdale. A host of family and friends also survive.
Lynnette grew up in St. Louis County, Missouri. She also lived in Dexter and Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Lynnette was of the Mormon faith. She enjoyed spending time with her family who loved her very much. She will be missed.
Visitation will be held on Friday October 01, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday October 01, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter.
Interment will follow in the Malden Memorial Cemetery with Watkins and Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of arrangements.
Raley Joe Montgomery died Sept. 27, 2021, at his home in Columbia, Mo., surrounded by loved ones after a valiant battle with brain cancer. While this world is truly a lesser place without him, we are blessed to have the memories of Joe’s humor, warmth and humanity that promise to always bring a smile to our faces.
Joe is survived by his wife of 38 years, Barbara Peters Montgomery; daughters, Morgan and Emma Montgomery; grandchildren, Jina, Juli and John Daniel; his sister, Barbara Rice; and numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and a few cousins.
Joe was born Oct. 22, 1952, in Poplar Bluff, Mo., to Imogene (Malone) and Homer Montgomery. He grew up farming with his family near Bloomfield, Mo., surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. He attended Bloomfield Elementary and High School.
After graduating from the Gradwohl School of Laboratory Technique in St. Louis in 1972, Joe began working at the Boonville Medical Group in Boonville, Mo. Inspired by his interactions with colleagues and patients, he went on to study nursing at Central Methodist University, graduating in 1984. The Joe Montgomery Memorial Nursing Scholarship has been established to honor him at his alma mater. He found his true calling in nursing and worked as a registered nurse at the University of Missouri Hospital from 1984-2014 and the Truman VA Medical Center from 2014- 2021.
Joe was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother-in-law, trusted medical caregiver and loyal friend. An avid bicycle rider, he will be remembered for his love of music – particularly jazz, blues and rock & roll – travel, barbequing and most of all, spending time with family and friends. He kept us all entertained with his wild stories and crazy songs.
A memorial service is being planned for a date to be announced. To honor Joe and make sure his legacy is not forgotten, his family has established the Joe Montgomery Memorial Nursing Scholarship at Central Methodist University. To donate, please go to https://pushpay.com/g/centralmethodist, choose: One Time Gift. Fund: Other, Memo: Joe Montgomery Memorial Nursing Scholarship” or send a check to CMU.
We are sincerely grateful to MU Healthcare, Ellis Fischel Cancer Center and Hospice Compassus for their care.
