Billy O’Gene Cletcher

Billy O'Gene Cletcher of Raytown, MO went home to be with the Lord on September 18, 2019 at the age of 86. He was born December 30, 1932 in Van Buren, MO and was the oldest son of eight children of the late Virgil Chester Cletcher and Amy Faye Cletcher of Van Buren.

When 18 years old, Bill moved to Kansas City, MO and later joined the Army when he was 20. He served active duty in Korea from 1953 – 1955 followed by Army Reserves until 1961. He received the United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. He was also in the National Guard from 1972 – 1987.

Bill loved to hunt and fish with his brothers plus was active in a bowling league with his brothers and friends. In the ‘60s, he would locally race his black 1957 Chevy that he called ‘Hot Rod.’ He spent time working with his sons and their friends and coached their baseball teams. He was also a KC Chiefs and KC Royals fan. After his marriage to his wife Norma in June 1986, he began square dancing and enjoyed traveling with her and their mutual friends.

He was a hands on, ‘fix-it’ person – there wasn’t much he couldn’t repair around the house or cars … anything mechanical. You could always go to him for advice and help with these things – he made himself available to you and helped you the best he could.

He worked hard all his life, sometimes taking a second job to provide for his family and 4 children. He retired from Missouri Gas Energy after 36.5 years, a member of Local 781. After he retired, he continued to use his hands creating stained glass items and lamps for a while…

Bill had multiple surgeries and developed several health issues over the past 34 years, many of which would have defeated anyone else. He was our bionic man – enduring overwhelming pain, yet he continued on … After yet another surgery and a stroke in 2000, he turned to God for his salvation. He began attending church with Norma at Spring Valley Baptist Church and was baptized by Pastor Larry Heenan.

He was preceded in death by a son, Tim Cletcher, a daughter-in-law Dee Cletcher, and a granddaughter Paula Cletcher. He is survived by his wife Norma (Kirby) Cletcher, his son Todd Cletcher (husband to Dee and father to Paula), granddaughter Megan Chacon (husband Gabriel), great-grandsons Brody and Hunter, son Tom Cletcher (wife Tiffany), grandsons Thomas and Daniel, daughter Teri Duckworth (husband Ken), grandson Jordan Duckworth (wife Jessica), great-grandchildren Elsie, Henry and Jack, and granddaughter Jenna Miller (husband Jase), and great-grandchildren Kane and Kali.

Additionally, he was preceded in death by Norma’s son, Terry Kirby, and survived by Norma’s daughters Debbie Nordyke (husband Steve), grandson Brian Greenlee (wife Rachel), great-grandchildren Emily, Brayden, and Adelyn, granddaughter Hope McCoy (husband Matt), grandson Zachary Nordyke (wife Lela), great-grandchildren Ashton and Peyton, and daughter Pam Bousquet (husband Jon), and grandson Caleb.

He was also preceded in death by a brother Stanley Cletcher and brothers-in-law Glenwood Martin, Bill Bradford, Bill Campbell, Harold Sanders, and sisters-in-law Sue Cletcher and Bonnie Cletcher. He is survived by sisters Norma Jo Martin of Poplar Bluff, Glenda Campbell and Wilma Sanders of Van Buren, Mina (husband Bob) Murphy of Fremont, brothers Roy Gayle (wife Chris) Cletcher of Fremont, Ronnie Cletcher of Raytown, and several nieces, nephews and their families.

· The Visitation will be September 28, 2019 at 12:00 pm with the Funeral Service following at 1:00 pm, both at Park Lawn Funeral Home at 8251 Hillcrest Road, Kansas City, MO 64138. A Military Burial Service will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.

· A Repast Celebration of Life Reception and meal for our family and friends is following at 4:00 pm. This will be held at the Old Paths Baptist Church located at 4621 Shrank Drive, Independence, MO 64055 (In The Apple Tree Center). Please join us to celebrate the life of Billy O. and honor our father with your presence.

**In lieu of flowers, we request donations to be made to Old Paths Baptist Church please**

John 14:1-3

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

Visitation 12PM, service 1PM, Saturday, September 28 at Park Lawn, 8251 Hillcrest Rd.; burial in Memorial Park Cemetery.