Billie Engle

Billie Gordon Engle, age 89, of Eldon, passed into Heaven on Sunday, September 13, 2020 with family by his side after a short but valiant fight with COVID19. He was born January 20, 1931 in Eldon Mo., the only child of James Gordon Engle and Charlottie Ellen Craig and only grandchild of Elda Jane Craig. He spent his summers growing up in Colorado working ranches and highway construction. This led to Bill's lifelong love of vacationing in Colorado with his family and reading Western novels. Bill was a 1949 Eldon High School graduate, where he was known for his bass solo voice and trombone skills. In 1951 he enlisted with the US Marines. He was deployed to Korea early 1953 where he was a Sergeant and a field radio operator/instructor at the DMZ for 15 months. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal with 2 Stars, the United Nations Medal, the National Defense Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and the Good Conduct Medal. In 2013 he was selected to participate in the Central Missouri Honor Flight. On leave after boot camp in May 1952, he married Dorothy Ann Henley who he had met through the 1st Baptist Church youth group. During their 40 years together, they had three children: Patricia, who was born during his deployment and he did not meet until eight months old, Gwendolyn, and Arthur Gordon. He retired from Ameron in Eldon after 23 years of service. In 1993, after the passing of his wife Dorothy, he married Mary Jo Farmer Catron, gaining numerous children and grandchildren. Bill loved serving at church. He was a faithful and active member of Green Ridge Baptist Church for the past 10 years where he helped to improve sound, electrical, and drainage water. He also has many friends from his years as an active member at 1st Baptist Church of Eldon where he served as a deacon, bus driver, sound technician, XYZ Club chaperone and any other role he could fill. Over the years, he served as President of Friends of Music, sang with the Missouri Music Men, played trombone in the community orchestra, sang in the community choir, along with serving as interim music director at many country churches throughout Miller County. Spending time with his family and extended family were very important parts of his life and each child and grandchild brought him so much joy. He looked forward to visits and calls, Christmas time Santa deliveries, and romping on the floor with the young ones. He will be remembered as a faithful Christian, a loving son, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather, a teller of stories, a traveler, a musician, a photographer, and a man whose sense of humor and service to others stayed with him to the end. 48 hours before his passing, after a nurse assisted him, he asked 'What can I do for you?' After Tom and Gwen prayed for him a few short hours before his passing, he continued by praying a blessing for them. He gave and loved until the last moment of his life. Surviving are his wife of 28 years Mary Jo of Eldon; Bill's three children: Patricia Ann Martin (Bill) of Hot Springs, S.D. and their daughters: Stacey Martin, Tracey Martin Lazzell (Ryan); Gwendolyn Plauche (Tom ) of Signal Mountain, Tenn. and their children: Ryan Plauche, Jessica Plauche Winniford (David) and Gloria Mae, Aaron Plauche (Michelle), Jeremiah Plauche, Benjamin Plauche, Arthur Gordon (Karen) of Eldon, Adam Engle; Karen's children: Kimberly Hill (Nathan) and Charlotte; Kyle Vernon (Trisha) and Tyler, Chloe, Kylee, Carley, Jacob, Clark; Kate Ochs (Kevin) and Maddie, Lexie; Kenny Vernon (Kat) and Owen, Josh, Aubrey, Sophie, Kinley, Kaydance, Kenneth Jr.; Mary Jo's children and grandchildren: Debbie Jo Walker (Mike) of Bettendorf, Iowa and Daniel (Madelyn) Schaummann and Ryan Schaummann; Elaine King of Kansas City, Mo. and Alex, Samantha King; George Catron (Lisa) of Silverdale, Wash. and Amanda Catron, Jennifer (Matt) Gilmore (daughter Austyn Gilmore); and William Catron (Angela) of Bremerton, Wash. and Andrew (Lydia) Catron, Melanie. He also had several nieces, nephews, and step-siblings. Friends are invited to join the graveside service with military honors on Friday, September 18 at 11 a.m. at Dooley Cemetery, Eldon. In memory of Bill, masks will be required and regulated social distancing in place. In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated to the Bill Engle Memorial Fund, Green Ridge Baptist Church or to the Friends of Music Scholarship Fund.