Louis Pittman Hester

Louis Pittman Hester, 93, of Poplar Bluff, formerly of California, died Sunday, July 22, 2012 at The Manor in Poplar Bluff.

Mr. Hester was born Oct. 13, 1918 in Poplar Bluff. He was a member of New Home General Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff, and had retired from General Motors Company in California. Mr. Hester was also a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps, having served in WW II. He enjoyed photography, collecting clocks and coins and tinkering.

On Sept. 1, 1945, he was married to Bonnie Waggoner. She preceded him in death on Sept. 30, 1998.

Survivors include two children: Roger Hester and wife, Brenda, of Garden Grove, Calif., and Darlene Barner of Spring Hills, Kans.; two grandchildren: Matthew Hester and Mark Hester; three great-grandchildren: Lucas Hester and Logan Hester, and Taylor Major Hester: a sister, Irene Hager of Harviell, Mo.: and a close friend and caregiver, Gail Fredwell of Poplar Bluff.

His parents, Archie and Minnie (Bollinger) Hester, two sisters, Ethel Stone and Pearl Thomas, and his first great-grandson, Noah Hester also preceded him in death.

Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. Friday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral chapel with Rev. Calvin Buhler officiating. Burial with full military honors will be at the City Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to John J. Pershing VA Hospital Primary Care Unit, 1500 North Westwood Blvd., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901.