William Boyd Behringer

William (Bill) Boyd Behringer, age 87, passed away Saturday, September 7 at the Maple Grove Lodge nursing home in Louisiana, Missouri after a prolonged illness. Bill was born July 24, 1926 in Clarence, Missouri to Clyde John Behringer and Mary Katherine Boyd Behringer. Bill grew up in Louisiana, Missouri, a fourth generation Pike County resident, attended Eugene Field Elementary School and graduated from Louisiana High School in 1944. After graduating, Bill joined the United States Navy and served until 1946 as a yeoman third class aboard the U.S.S. Magoffin in the Pacific theater of operations. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Bill returned to Louisiana, Missouri where he worked briefly for Railway Express. In 1946 Bill went to work for the Mercantile Bank in Louisiana, where he was the assistant cashier. In 1958 Bill began working as an accountant for the Pike Grain Company in Louisiana, where he worked until his retirement in 1993. Bill married Imogene Shields on September 12, 1953 (the same day John F. Kennedy married Jacqueline Bouvier) in Louisiana, Missouri. They were married for 59 years and 360 days. Their 60th wedding anniversary was on September 12, 2013, five days after his passing. Bill is survived by his wife, Imogene Shields Behringer of Louisiana, Missouri. In addition, Bill is survived by his son, David Clyde Behringer of Apopka, Florida, and his wife Therese, and daughters Elizabeth Behringer Smith of Little Rock, Arkansas and husband Lawrence Smith, Jr., and Sally Behringer of Kansas City, Missouri and husband Toby D. Workman. Bill is also survived by his grandchildren Seth, Clare and Veronica and step grandchildren Erica and husband Grayson Goodman, Nicholas, Noelle, Izaak and Eli, and many loving nieces, nephews and other family members whom he cherished. Bill was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Katherine Behringer and father, Clyde John Behringer, and brothers Clyde Behringer Jr., who also fought in World War II and was killed on Omaha Beach during the Normandy invasion, and Eugene Behringer, who served during the Korean War. His grandparents were John and Ida Hill Behringer of Louisiana, Missouri and Lenora Jane and John “Pop” Boyd of Louisiana, Missouri. Not only was Bill a loving, dedicated son, husband, father and grandfather, he was also actively involved in community service in Louisiana. He was a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce and served as an officer of that organization, including President. In addition, he served as the Chairman of the 1955 River Festival. He was also a charter member of the Louisiana Jaycees, serving as First Vice President and, in 1955, was the recipient of the Jaycees Man of the Year award. Later Bill served as a member and eventually President of the Louisiana Water Board and on the Louisiana R II School Board. Faith and church family were equally important to Bill, who was a long-time member of the First Christian Church in Louisiana, Missouri. He served regularly as a Sunday school teacher, deacon and elder. In addition, he served as Chairman of the Board for the church. Bill had a variety of hobbies, including fishing, golf, bowling, puzzles and the occasional game of pool. He could always be counted on to referee a pick-up basketball game in the driveway or participate in a lively game of “Kick the Can” with his children and their neighborhood friends. He loved to play cards and, along with Imogene, was a member of a local bridge club for several years. He also enjoyed reading Louis L’Amour books and watching Westerns, his favorite movie genre. A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held for Bill Saturday, September 28, 2013 at the First Christian Church in Louisiana, Missouri. To honor Bill’s memory and the celebratory mood of the service, the family asks that friends and family wear something red to the service. The family will be greeting friends and relatives prior to the service, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. The Celebration of Life service will begin at 2 p.m., the conclusion of which will feature a military tribute followed by a meal in the First Christian Church Fellowship Hall. Friends and family who wish to pay tribute to the memory of Bill are asked to consider making donations to St. Luke's Hospital, Office of Development, 232 S. Woods Mill Rd., Chesterfield, MO 63017 or online at www.stlukes-stl.com/friends, or to other worthy charities of their choice. Condolences may be left on http://memorial.yourtribute.com/bbbehringer.

William Boyd Behringer

July 24, 1926 - September 7, 2013