Willard C. Bettels, 86 of Butler, passed away Monday, April 13, 2020 at his home surrounded by his family. Mass of Christian Burial will be privately held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, with burial in the Oak Hill Cemetery. A public memorial service will be held at a later time. Cards or other sentiments may be left in care of the Mullinax Funeral Home (10 S. High St., Butler, Mo., 64730) and will be forwarded to the family. Messages may also be left at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Bates County Cattlemen’s Scholarship Fund, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Maintenance Fund, or Heartland Hospice, and may be left in care of the funeral home.
Willard, born December 15, 1933, near Montrose Missouri, was the only son of Clem & May Bettels. He was raised in the Germantown, Missouri area with three sisters – Angeline (Engeman), Laverne (Cook), and Carita (Shoemaker). He attended grade school at St. Ludger’s Catholic School in Germantown and graduated from Montrose High School in 1952.
After graduation he started farming with his father, raising cattle and sheep. He proved to be proficient in agriculture, also trying his hand with chickens and hogs through the years. Cattle eventually won out as his love though. He continued raising them and farming until his retirement in 1995 when health issues slowed him down. Yet he continued for many more years to help and encourage his children with their agriculture endeavors. He was instrumental in bringing water to rural Bates County in the mid 1970’s helping to create Rural Water District #6, a Board he proudly served on for nearly 20 years. He was a dedicated member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Bates County Cattlemen’s Association, and the Knights of Columbus. Willard was also a member of the Missouri National Guard artillery battalion from 1951 – 1960.
Willard married the love of his life in February of 1955, Maureen (Rotert). To this union 9 children were born. They started their married life living on the farm once owned by his grandparents near Germantown, but they were able to expand their farming operation by purchasing land and moving to Bates County in 1965. This farm is where he called home for the next 30 years, and the place his children all call home.
Willard was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Carol Elaine; and his sister Laverne Cook; a great-grandson Austin Malark.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Maureen, of Butler; his children: Carl and wife Terry, Butler; Sharon and husband Bob Arnold, Drexel; Donna and husband Mark Swaters, Montrose; Patricia and husband Robert Rhodes, Blue Springs; Beverly Burch, Butler; Dale and wife Carla, Butler; Nancy Bettels, Springfield; and Brent, Amoret. He is also survived by 25 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
Willard was a very caring individual with a smile that would light up a room. He will be greatly missed and memories of him never forgotten. We are especially grateful to all the tender loving care he received from many the last 18 months of his life.
Willard, born December 15, 1933, near Montrose Missouri, was the only son of Clem & May Bettels. He was raised in the Germantown, Missouri area with three sisters – Angeline (Engeman), Laverne (Cook), and Carita (Shoemaker). He attended grade school at St. Ludger’s Catholic School in Germantown and graduated from Montrose High School in 1952.
After graduation he started farming with his father, raising cattle and sheep. He proved to be proficient in agriculture, also trying his hand with chickens and hogs through the years. Cattle eventually won out as his love though. He continued raising them and farming until his retirement in 1995 when health issues slowed him down. Yet he continued for many more years to help and encourage his children with their agriculture endeavors. He was instrumental in bringing water to rural Bates County in the mid 1970’s helping to create Rural Water District #6, a Board he proudly served on for nearly 20 years. He was a dedicated member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Bates County Cattlemen’s Association, and the Knights of Columbus. Willard was also a member of the Missouri National Guard artillery battalion from 1951 – 1960.
Willard married the love of his life in February of 1955, Maureen (Rotert). To this union 9 children were born. They started their married life living on the farm once owned by his grandparents near Germantown, but they were able to expand their farming operation by purchasing land and moving to Bates County in 1965. This farm is where he called home for the next 30 years, and the place his children all call home.
Willard was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Carol Elaine; and his sister Laverne Cook; a great-grandson Austin Malark.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Maureen, of Butler; his children: Carl and wife Terry, Butler; Sharon and husband Bob Arnold, Drexel; Donna and husband Mark Swaters, Montrose; Patricia and husband Robert Rhodes, Blue Springs; Beverly Burch, Butler; Dale and wife Carla, Butler; Nancy Bettels, Springfield; and Brent, Amoret. He is also survived by 25 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
Willard was a very caring individual with a smile that would light up a room. He will be greatly missed and memories of him never forgotten. We are especially grateful to all the tender loving care he received from many the last 18 months of his life.
Willard C. Bettels, 86 of Butler, passed away Monday, April 13, 2020 at his home surrounded by his family. Mass of Christian Burial will be privately held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, with burial in the Oak Hill Cemetery. A public memorial service will be held at a later time. Cards or other sentiments may be left in care of the Mullinax Funeral Home (10 S. High St., Butler, Mo., 64730) and will be forwarded to the family. Messages may also be left at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Bates County Cattlemen’s Scholarship Fund, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Maintenance Fund, or Heartland Hospice, and may be left in care of the funeral home.
Willard, born December 15, 1933, near Montrose Missouri, was the only son of Clem & May Bettels. He was raised in the Germantown, Missouri area with three sisters – Angeline (Engeman), Laverne (Cook), and Carita (Shoemaker). He attended grade school at St. Ludger’s Catholic School in Germantown and graduated from Montrose High School in 1952.
After graduation he started farming with his father, raising cattle and sheep. He proved to be proficient in agriculture, also trying his hand with chickens and hogs through the years. Cattle eventually won out as his love though. He continued raising them and farming until his retirement in 1995 when health issues slowed him down. Yet he continued for many more years to help and encourage his children with their agriculture endeavors. He was instrumental in bringing water to rural Bates County in the mid 1970’s helping to create Rural Water District #6, a Board he proudly served on for nearly 20 years. He was a dedicated member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Bates County Cattlemen’s Association, and the Knights of Columbus. Willard was also a member of the Missouri National Guard artillery battalion from 1951 – 1960.
Willard married the love of his life in February of 1955, Maureen (Rotert). To this union 9 children were born. They started their married life living on the farm once owned by his grandparents near Germantown, but they were able to expand their farming operation by purchasing land and moving to Bates County in 1965. This farm is where he called home for the next 30 years, and the place his children all call home.
Willard was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Carol Elaine; and his sister Laverne Cook; a great-grandson Austin Malark.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Maureen, of Butler; his children: Carl and wife Terry, Butler; Sharon and husband Bob Arnold, Drexel; Donna and husband Mark Swaters, Montrose; Patricia and husband Robert Rhodes, Blue Springs; Beverly Burch, Butler; Dale and wife Carla, Butler; Nancy Bettels, Springfield; and Brent, Amoret. He is also survived by 25 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
Willard was a very caring individual with a smile that would light up a room. He will be greatly missed and memories of him never forgotten. We are especially grateful to all the tender loving care he received from many the last 18 months of his life.
Willard, born December 15, 1933, near Montrose Missouri, was the only son of Clem & May Bettels. He was raised in the Germantown, Missouri area with three sisters – Angeline (Engeman), Laverne (Cook), and Carita (Shoemaker). He attended grade school at St. Ludger’s Catholic School in Germantown and graduated from Montrose High School in 1952.
After graduation he started farming with his father, raising cattle and sheep. He proved to be proficient in agriculture, also trying his hand with chickens and hogs through the years. Cattle eventually won out as his love though. He continued raising them and farming until his retirement in 1995 when health issues slowed him down. Yet he continued for many more years to help and encourage his children with their agriculture endeavors. He was instrumental in bringing water to rural Bates County in the mid 1970’s helping to create Rural Water District #6, a Board he proudly served on for nearly 20 years. He was a dedicated member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Bates County Cattlemen’s Association, and the Knights of Columbus. Willard was also a member of the Missouri National Guard artillery battalion from 1951 – 1960.
Willard married the love of his life in February of 1955, Maureen (Rotert). To this union 9 children were born. They started their married life living on the farm once owned by his grandparents near Germantown, but they were able to expand their farming operation by purchasing land and moving to Bates County in 1965. This farm is where he called home for the next 30 years, and the place his children all call home.
Willard was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Carol Elaine; and his sister Laverne Cook; a great-grandson Austin Malark.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Maureen, of Butler; his children: Carl and wife Terry, Butler; Sharon and husband Bob Arnold, Drexel; Donna and husband Mark Swaters, Montrose; Patricia and husband Robert Rhodes, Blue Springs; Beverly Burch, Butler; Dale and wife Carla, Butler; Nancy Bettels, Springfield; and Brent, Amoret. He is also survived by 25 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
Willard was a very caring individual with a smile that would light up a room. He will be greatly missed and memories of him never forgotten. We are especially grateful to all the tender loving care he received from many the last 18 months of his life.
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