Born October 5, 1947, in Walnut Shade, Missouri William Ray Cassy, son of Arthur Ray and Emma Louise La-Follette Cassy, was born October 5, 1947, in Walnut Shade, Missouri and he departed this life Saturday, Jan. 28, 2006, in his home in Ava,, at the age of 58 years.
Bill was raised in Seymour, and graduated with honors from Seymour High School in the Class of 1965. Shortly after graduation he joined the United States Army and served his country faithfully during the Vietnam War.
He was united in marriage to Jean Marie Brown on Oct. 8, 1976, and together they shared the last 29 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his 14-year old son, Christopher Lloyd Cassy, in 1992; and a sister, Aleta Sue Langston.
He is survived by his loving wife, Jeannie, of the home; two sons, Shane Cassy, of the home, and William Ray Cassy, Jr., and his wife Michele, of Jones, Ala.; two step-sons, Michael Watkins and companion Erin, of Kingsport, Tenn., and Joshua Watkins and his companion Tammy, of Leeton, Mo.; eight grandchildren, Justine, Melissa, Christopher, Lisa, Miranda, Zach, Dakota and Angelique; four sisters, Debra Henry and her companion Randy Caudill, of Springfield, Connie West and her husband Gene, and Edith Moore, all of Ozark, and Joyce Perrin and her husband Bobby, of Mansfield; a brother-in-law, Danny Langston, of Grovespring, Mo.; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
After Bill completed his military service he lived in Florida for many years where he was a night manager of a bowling center and then worked as a painter of water towers in the Midwest and southern states and worked as a rough and finishing carpenter. He and his family moved back to Ava to make their home two year ago after he became disabled.
Bill had made his profession of faith in Christ and followed the Baptist faith throughout his life.
In his spare time he enjoyed bowling, fishing, hunting and spending time with his family.
Services were held Wednesday, Feb. 1, at 11 a.m. in the Holman-Howe Chapel in Seymour, with Rev. Roy Cantrell officiating. Burial followed with full military honors by Webster County Veterans Memorial Association in Seymour Masonic Cemetery. His son, Christopher, who was cremated, will be laid to rest with his father.
