Born June 28, 1926 in Wright County William O. “Bill” Dedmon, son of Austin and Edith Patterson Dedmon, was born June 28, 1926 in Wright County, and departed this life Friday Aug. 4, 2006, in St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, at the age of 80.
On Oct. 18, 1952, he was united in marriage to Joan Bennett and to this union two daughters were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a granddaughter, Miranda, a brother, Gaylen Dedmon, and a sister, Lois Owens.
He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Joan, of the home; two daughters, Tracy Haden, of Ava, and Vickie Ward and her husband, Stacey, of Marshfield; four grandchildren, Timothy Haden, Jennifer Haden, Dustin Ward and Christopher Ward; three brothers, G.A. Dedmon and his wife, Virginia, of Mansfield, Roy Dedmon and his wife, Nelda, of Hartville, and Jack Dedmon and his wife, Francis, of Mansfield; one sister, Kay Patterson, of Marshfield; several nieces and nephews as well as a host of many other relatives and many friends.
Bill was born and raised in Wright County where he attended several country schools.
In 1944 he entered the United States Army and faithfully served his country until November 1946 when he received an honorable discharge. After returning home he was employed by Drew Electrical Construction Company until 1952 when he began to work for the Missouri Department of Transportation.
He worked for MODOT for 36 years, retiring in 1988.
Bill was a member of Wolf Creek Freewill Baptist Church and had attended there until his health began to decline. He attended the First General Baptist Church in Ava the last eight years. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 112 in Ava.
In his spare time he loved hunting and fishing and spending time with his grandkids.
Bill was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle and was a caring neighbor and friend.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Holman-Howe Chapel, Mansfield, with the Revs. Robert Roberts, R.E. Helsley and Gary Dedmon officiating. Interment was in Steele Memorial Cemetery.
