Obituary -- Billy Dean Thompson 1936-2015

Billy Dean Thompson, 79, of Grant City, Missouri was called to his heavenly home on April 30, 2015 at Northwest Medical Center in Albany, Missouri.. Billy Dean was the sixth of ten children and was born on February 1, 1936 to Lawrence and Gladys (Hobbs) Thompson on the family farm in rural Allendale, Missouri.

After graduating from Grant City High School, he moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin until an industrial accident injured his back and he returned to Grant City. He served on the volunteer fire department for several years. Over the years, Billy Dean held a variety of jobs until he became the Manager of B. Prugh & Sons Hardware, which he later co-owned. Following the sale of the store, he went to work for Betty Dunfee at the Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home, a job he held close to his heart.

On April 7, 1962 he married Marilyn (Combs) Thompson and they were blessed with three children; Martin Lynn, Rhonda Faye and Kelly Lea.

In 1989, he accepted Christ as his Savior and was baptized into the Grant City Baptist Church by Reverend Robert McCutcheon.

Billy Dean was preceded in death by his parents, his parents-in-law; Hobert and Hazel Combs, brothers; Robert, Gene, Clair and Kenneth; sister-in-law Ardath Yates; brothers-in-law; Wilmer Yates, Don Goodwin and Ed Schellhorn; infant grandson, Baby Kenny and two infant grandchildren; nephew, Alan Davidson; nephews-in-law, Timothy Yates, Chris Goodwin and Robert Combs and niece-in-law Pamela Burton.

He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Marilyn of the home, son, Martin (Rebekah) Thompson and daughter Rhonda (Scott) Steward, all of Grant City, Mo; daughter; Kelly (Don) Thompson, Rocheport, MO; granddaughters, Kendra “Angel Baby” (Nate) Lewis, Grant City, Katie Thompson, Kentucky, grandsons; Joshua Wagner, Maryville, MO, Brody Shrubshell, Rocheport, MO; step-granddaughter, Kristina Steward; step-great-granddaughter, Calissa Steward; brother, Rex (Grace) Thompson, Milwaukee, WI; sisters; Iona (Orlie Dean) Davidson, Osawatomie, KS, Doris (Ted) Cerny, Lincoln, MO, Marie (Paul) Lehman, Wathena, KS, Elaine (Clark) Stabe, Grant City; brother-in-law, Warren (Theresa) Combs, Grant City, sisters-in-law; Donna Thompson, LaVerne, CA, Eleanor Thompson, St. Joseph, MO and Althae Schellhorn, St. Jospeh, MO; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Family meant everything to Billy Dean and there was never a more loving father, Pops, or friend. He was a kind, considerate and compassionate man that put other peoples needs before his own. He never met a stranger and was quick to assign a nickname to family and friends. He had a best friend, Elmer, that the family became very acquainted with. Billy Dean collected oil lamps and Barbie dolls. He took joy in telling stories from his youth, or “back in the black days” as he called it, playing croquet and driving around the square to see “the girls”. His sense of humor and wit will certainly be missed by those that knew him.

Graveside services were 1:30 P.M., May 3, 2015 at the Allendale Cemetery in Allendale, Missouri under the direction of the Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home. Pastor Len Green officiated. Casket bearers were Brody Shrubshell, Nate Lewis, Don Shrubshell, Duane James, David Hunt , Rick Ridge, honorary bearers were Bill Werner and Kirby Dowis. “Daddy’s Hands” by Holly Dunn was special music.