Billy Gene Loper, son of Melton Loper and Levie Lawson Loper, was born on Sept. 14, 1936, in Long Island, Alabama, and passed away in his home with his family around him on May 10, 2005, at the age of 68 years.
Billy was a resident of the Ava community since 1979, moving from St. Louis, Mo. He was an auto glass installer. On Aug. 28, 1955, Billy and Velora Moreland were united in marriage in St. Louis. Billy enjoyed bowling, hunting, fishing and teasing his family.
Billy was preceded in death by his parents and two sons, Bennie and Kevin.
He is survived by his wife, Velora, of the home in Ava; his children, Bob Loper and wife, Barbara, Holdridge, Neb., Wayne Loper and wife, Margie, Mansfield, Billy Loper, Ava, Brenda Loper, Ava, Joanna Hendrix, and spouse, Yvonne, Omaha, Neb., Janet Gifford, Ava, Phil Loper, Alliance, Neb., Donald Loper and wife, Kelsie, Chadron, Neb., Amanda Garcia, Alliance, Neb., Christina Loper, Springfield, and Anglia Holman, Mansfield; 26 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; one sister, Betty Ledgerwood, Kentucky; and one brother, Waymond Loper, Texas; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services are Saturday, May 14, 9 a.m., at the Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava, with Bro. Tom Ledgerwood officiating. Interment will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, at the High Gate Baptist Church Cemetery in High Gate, Mo., in Phelps County. Visitation is Friday from 6-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Services are being conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava.
