William "Bill" Jervy Humphries

Ava, MO

William Jervy Humphries, 84 years, passed to heaven on September 30, 2011 at Cox's Medical Center South, Springfield, MO.

Bill was born May 13, 1927 in West Plains, MO to George Thomas and Veda Belle (Reaves) Humphries.

Bill was a resident of the Ava community since 1978 moving from Springfield, MO. On May 22, 1954 Bill and Dorothea Rita Dowling were united in marriage in Lawrence, MA and to this union three children were born.

Bill was a retired salesman for Conoco, Hilti Tools and Heatalator Fireplaces. In Ava, he sold Real Estate and was a fulltime cattle farmer. Bill was a U.S. Marine Veteran and had served in WWII and Korea. He started the first Marine Corp Reserve at University of Missouri, Columbia, MO. He was a member of a select group in the Marines called the Mustangs. Bill had received a Bachelor's Degree in Statistics at MU.

He was a Christian and of the Methodist faith. He was a member of the Ava American Legion #112. Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing, football and his cattle. His joy was being with his family.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, George Edward Humphries.


Bill is survived by his wife, Dorothea Rita Humphries, Ava, MO, three children, John Humphries, St. Louis, MO, Tom & Carol Humphries, St. Louis, MO and Sharon & Steve Fry, Highlandville, MO, three grandchildren, Jamie and Sam Humphries and Josh Fry other relatives and friends.


Graveside services for Bill will be Monday, Oct. 3, 2011, 1:00 p.m. at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Springfield, MO with full Military Honors. Visitation will be Sunday, Oct.2, 2011 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, MO. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, Memphis, TN.