Billy Ray Jenkins, 73, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020 at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center following a brief illness.
Bill was born March 19, 1946 to Paul and Wilma (Adams) Jenkins in Butler County, Mo. A talented athlete, he competed in football, track and basketball while at Poplar Bluff High School, graduating in 1964. Although drafted in the Army, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, earning a place among the world's greatest warriors. His honorable service included two tours in Vietnam as a Combined Action Platoon Marine, receiving a Purple Heart for injuries suffered there. During his 3-year assignment in Naples, Italy he married Mary Usinger and they welcomed their first son, Shawn. Following his military service Bill joined the US Postal Service. They lived briefly on Long Island, N.Y., and then he moved his family home to Poplar Bluff. There they had their second son, Brian. An exceptional father, Bill coached youth baseball and basketball, inspiring not only his sons but countless other boys and athletes. Through his years as a mail carrier Bill made friends and brightened the days of many across Poplar Bluff.
After retiring from the Postal Service, Bill pursued his love of horseback riding and traveling, exploring trails from Arkansas to the Black Hills. In 2014, while visiting a long-time in Avon, N.C., Bill was introduced to his friend's neighbor Jane Burger. Although Bill returned to Poplar Bluff and Jane to Urbandale, Iowa, through their nightly phone calls their friendship deepened into love. They united on Jan. 15, 2015 and have been together ever since. Centerville, Iowa became their home, a beautiful compromise of the suburban and rural lifestyles to which they had become accustomed. Bill was an avid outdoorsman and horseman. He enjoyed fishing, boating, working outside, church activities, and volunteering with the Appanoose County Community Meals each week
He is survived by Jane, son Lt. Col. Shawn (Tonya) Jenkins, grandsons, Grant (Chrissy) Jenkins and Reid (Sharlee) Jenkins, great-granddaughter, Audrey Jenkins, siblings, Barbara (Phil) Gray, Paul Jenkins, and Danny (Donna) Jenkins, several nieces and nephews, and his dogs Bear and Holly. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Jenkins, son Brian Jenkins, brother Earl Jenkins, and his parents.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, in the chapel. Burial with full military honors will follow at Kinsey Cemetery in Butler County.
Bill was born March 19, 1946 to Paul and Wilma (Adams) Jenkins in Butler County, Mo. A talented athlete, he competed in football, track and basketball while at Poplar Bluff High School, graduating in 1964. Although drafted in the Army, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, earning a place among the world's greatest warriors. His honorable service included two tours in Vietnam as a Combined Action Platoon Marine, receiving a Purple Heart for injuries suffered there. During his 3-year assignment in Naples, Italy he married Mary Usinger and they welcomed their first son, Shawn. Following his military service Bill joined the US Postal Service. They lived briefly on Long Island, N.Y., and then he moved his family home to Poplar Bluff. There they had their second son, Brian. An exceptional father, Bill coached youth baseball and basketball, inspiring not only his sons but countless other boys and athletes. Through his years as a mail carrier Bill made friends and brightened the days of many across Poplar Bluff.
After retiring from the Postal Service, Bill pursued his love of horseback riding and traveling, exploring trails from Arkansas to the Black Hills. In 2014, while visiting a long-time in Avon, N.C., Bill was introduced to his friend's neighbor Jane Burger. Although Bill returned to Poplar Bluff and Jane to Urbandale, Iowa, through their nightly phone calls their friendship deepened into love. They united on Jan. 15, 2015 and have been together ever since. Centerville, Iowa became their home, a beautiful compromise of the suburban and rural lifestyles to which they had become accustomed. Bill was an avid outdoorsman and horseman. He enjoyed fishing, boating, working outside, church activities, and volunteering with the Appanoose County Community Meals each week
He is survived by Jane, son Lt. Col. Shawn (Tonya) Jenkins, grandsons, Grant (Chrissy) Jenkins and Reid (Sharlee) Jenkins, great-granddaughter, Audrey Jenkins, siblings, Barbara (Phil) Gray, Paul Jenkins, and Danny (Donna) Jenkins, several nieces and nephews, and his dogs Bear and Holly. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Jenkins, son Brian Jenkins, brother Earl Jenkins, and his parents.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, in the chapel. Burial with full military honors will follow at Kinsey Cemetery in Butler County.
Billy Ray Jenkins, 73, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020 at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center following a brief illness.
Bill was born March 19, 1946 to Paul and Wilma (Adams) Jenkins in Butler County, Mo. A talented athlete, he competed in football, track and basketball while at Poplar Bluff High School, graduating in 1964. Although drafted in the Army, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, earning a place among the world's greatest warriors. His honorable service included two tours in Vietnam as a Combined Action Platoon Marine, receiving a Purple Heart for injuries suffered there. During his 3-year assignment in Naples, Italy he married Mary Usinger and they welcomed their first son, Shawn. Following his military service Bill joined the US Postal Service. They lived briefly on Long Island, N.Y., and then he moved his family home to Poplar Bluff. There they had their second son, Brian. An exceptional father, Bill coached youth baseball and basketball, inspiring not only his sons but countless other boys and athletes. Through his years as a mail carrier Bill made friends and brightened the days of many across Poplar Bluff.
After retiring from the Postal Service, Bill pursued his love of horseback riding and traveling, exploring trails from Arkansas to the Black Hills. In 2014, while visiting a long-time in Avon, N.C., Bill was introduced to his friend's neighbor Jane Burger. Although Bill returned to Poplar Bluff and Jane to Urbandale, Iowa, through their nightly phone calls their friendship deepened into love. They united on Jan. 15, 2015 and have been together ever since. Centerville, Iowa became their home, a beautiful compromise of the suburban and rural lifestyles to which they had become accustomed. Bill was an avid outdoorsman and horseman. He enjoyed fishing, boating, working outside, church activities, and volunteering with the Appanoose County Community Meals each week
He is survived by Jane, son Lt. Col. Shawn (Tonya) Jenkins, grandsons, Grant (Chrissy) Jenkins and Reid (Sharlee) Jenkins, great-granddaughter, Audrey Jenkins, siblings, Barbara (Phil) Gray, Paul Jenkins, and Danny (Donna) Jenkins, several nieces and nephews, and his dogs Bear and Holly. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Jenkins, son Brian Jenkins, brother Earl Jenkins, and his parents.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, in the chapel. Burial with full military honors will follow at Kinsey Cemetery in Butler County.
Bill was born March 19, 1946 to Paul and Wilma (Adams) Jenkins in Butler County, Mo. A talented athlete, he competed in football, track and basketball while at Poplar Bluff High School, graduating in 1964. Although drafted in the Army, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, earning a place among the world's greatest warriors. His honorable service included two tours in Vietnam as a Combined Action Platoon Marine, receiving a Purple Heart for injuries suffered there. During his 3-year assignment in Naples, Italy he married Mary Usinger and they welcomed their first son, Shawn. Following his military service Bill joined the US Postal Service. They lived briefly on Long Island, N.Y., and then he moved his family home to Poplar Bluff. There they had their second son, Brian. An exceptional father, Bill coached youth baseball and basketball, inspiring not only his sons but countless other boys and athletes. Through his years as a mail carrier Bill made friends and brightened the days of many across Poplar Bluff.
After retiring from the Postal Service, Bill pursued his love of horseback riding and traveling, exploring trails from Arkansas to the Black Hills. In 2014, while visiting a long-time in Avon, N.C., Bill was introduced to his friend's neighbor Jane Burger. Although Bill returned to Poplar Bluff and Jane to Urbandale, Iowa, through their nightly phone calls their friendship deepened into love. They united on Jan. 15, 2015 and have been together ever since. Centerville, Iowa became their home, a beautiful compromise of the suburban and rural lifestyles to which they had become accustomed. Bill was an avid outdoorsman and horseman. He enjoyed fishing, boating, working outside, church activities, and volunteering with the Appanoose County Community Meals each week
He is survived by Jane, son Lt. Col. Shawn (Tonya) Jenkins, grandsons, Grant (Chrissy) Jenkins and Reid (Sharlee) Jenkins, great-granddaughter, Audrey Jenkins, siblings, Barbara (Phil) Gray, Paul Jenkins, and Danny (Donna) Jenkins, several nieces and nephews, and his dogs Bear and Holly. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Jenkins, son Brian Jenkins, brother Earl Jenkins, and his parents.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, in the chapel. Burial with full military honors will follow at Kinsey Cemetery in Butler County.
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