Billy Leon Hodges

Ava, Missouri

Billy Leon Hodges, 79 years, 2 months, and 3 days old passed away on December 18, 2017 at Cox Medical Center in Springfield, MO.

Billy was born October 15, 1938 in Smallett, MO to Bert and Bessie (Phipps) Hodges and lived the rest of his life in the Sandy Community.

Billy and the FFA club in Ava went to win nationals in cattle judging in Nashville, TN, when he was a junior.

Billy graduated from Ava High School in 1957 and went on to SMSU where he graduated with a BS in Elementary Education. He worked at MFA Feed loading 100lb. bags of feed while going to school. He started his teaching career in Salem, MO then went to Plainview R-8, where he met the love of his life, Mary Lou Turner.

Billy and Mary Lou were married May 20, 1967 after school let out. They were blesed with two children, Martin and LeaAnn. They both accepted teaching positions at Hollister Elementary. Billy taught there for 25 years with a total of 30 years teaching before his retirement in 1992.

Billy gave his life to the Lord at Union Grove Church during a revival. He began to laugh and was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit that night. Billy was baptized and became a member of Sandy Baptist Church, where he served as a Sunday school teacher, Superintendent or where ever he needed to serve.

Billy loved to hunt ground hogs, squirrel, and whatever animal that crossed his path. He loved to fish but his passion was listening to bluegrass gospel music. Billy and Mary Lou bought a farm next to his parents in 1970 and raised beef cattle. Billy worked hard from sun up to sundown on the farm. There really was no such thing as retirement for them.

After a long hard fought battle with heart disease and alzheimers, Billy went home to be with Jesus and his beautiful bride.

Billy is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Mary Lou, a great-grand child, Eden Templeton, a sister, Vada Taylor, four brothers-in-law, Delbert Tellor, Sharrel Taylor, Don Turner and Eddie Turner, and a niece, Jill Adamson.

Billy is survived by his two children and their spouses, LeaAnn and Neal Crum, Ava, MO, and Martin and Amy Hodges, Nixa, MO, four grandchildren, Ashton & Sean Templeton, Springfield, MO, Erin Crum, Ava, MO, Dylan Crum, Rockaway Beach, MO, and Ryann Hodges, Nixa, MO, one sister, Arlena and husband, Robert Maggard Halltown, MO, many nieces and nephews, and a host of relatives and friends.

Billy was loved by all who knew him and will be missed greatly.

Funeral services for Billy will be Friday, December 22, 2017 at 2:00 pm at Sandy General Baptist Church, Brownbranch, MO, with burial to follow at the Fannon Cemetery.  Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 22nd from noon until service time at the church.  Officiating will be his son-in-law, Pastor Neal Crum and Rev. Frances Humbyrd.  Music will be by Rod Humbyrd and Billy's children.  Memorials may be made to Sandy Church Building Fund or Gideons.