Pawnee "Bill" Walrath

Funeral services for Pawnee Bill Walrath 75 of Gainesville, will be held Thursday January 9, 2014 at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home in Gainesville at 2 pm. A Visitation will be held Wednesday evening, January 8th from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Mr. Walrath died January 5, 2014 at the home of his daughter in Mountain Home, AR after a long bout with COPD.

He was born September 21, 1938, in Mammoth, the son of Richard and Opal Ramey Walrath. On May 11, 1958 he married Mary Frances Harley in Gainesville.

Bill was a lifelong resident of Gainesville and known by many as one of the best mechanics in Ozark County. If the part he needed was obsolete, he made it himself. He was busy mowing hay and raising cattle in his later years. He was a dedicated Christian man and had read his Bible cover to cover multiple times when his lung disease brought him to the point of being unable to work.

Survivors include: 2 daughters Diana Jewell and husband David of Mountain Home/Jonesboro, AR, Tena McKinzie and husband Scott of Gainesville. 2 sons Joe Walrath and wife Melinda of Gainesville, Robby Walrath of Gainesville. 2 grandsons: Zachary McKinzie and Briar Walrath. 3 step-grandchildren: Latricia Jewell, David Jewell, Jr., Kaylee Johnson and 3 step great-grandchildren. 2 brothers: St. John Walrath & wife Billie of Moore, Oklahoma; William Walrath & wife Jeannie of Gainesville. 5 sisters: Betty Strong of Gainesville; Frances Loftis & husband Gene of Gainesville; Ethel Curtis & husband Earl of Monette, AR; Helen Head of Rathdrum, Idaho, Pauline Strong & husband Lester of Seymour, MO. Sister-in-law Velta Eslinger of Gainesville & many other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, one infant son Billy Dean Walrath, his parents, and 2 brothers: Frank and Charlie Walrath.

Burial is in the Mammoth Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Ozarks.