Bill David Howard

Bill D. Howard, 89, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016 at his residence.

Bill, the son of the late Albert and Josephine Pigg Howard was born Jan. 11, 1927 in Poplar Bluff. He proudly served in the U.S. Army during WWII and was awarded a Victory Medal and an Army of Occupation Medal (Germany) He was a member of West Side Church of God and had retired as a railroad engineer after many years of travel through Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee. He enjoyed fishing, especially for trout at Bennett Springs near Lebanon, Mo. Bill was passionate about singing and enjoyed performing at churches, nursing homes, Country Mart, Long John Silvers and The Bread Company.

On June 27, 1947, he married the love of his life, Eva Geraldine Fletcher in Poplar Bluff. She preceded him in death on March 15, 2016.

Bill is survived by his children, Bill J. (Dianne) Howard and Gene H. (Gale) Howard of Poplar Bluff and June (Mike) Monn of Warrensburg, Mo.; 13 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; 20 great-great grandchildren; a sister, Lora Huddleston of California; and a brother, Paul Howard of Texas.

A son, Terry Goucher, a daughter, Paulette Zyung, a brother, Herschel Howard and four sisters, Virgie Diamond, Betty McGath, Mae Grissom and Laura Porterfield also preceded Bill in death.

A Memorial Service will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016 at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff with Greg Mason officiating. Full military honors by the U.S. Army and the Poplar Bluff Veterans Honor Guard will follow at the conclusion of the service on the funeral home grounds.