Ley, Paul John Sr. formerly of Spanish Lake, MO, entered into eternal life with Jesus Christ on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011. He was 95 years old. Born August 5, 1916 in Pine Lawn, MO, Paul was a long-time member of Our Lady of Loretto Parish along with his cherished wife of 66 years, the late Betty J. (nee Brewer) Ley. He was a Captain in the US Army/Air Corp a B-25 pilot. Paul was a member of the 341st Bomb Group, 491st Bomber Squadron. He flew 48 combat missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, the American Defense Medal, AsiaticPacific Medal and the Bronze Star. He enlisted in 1943 and discharged from the Air Force Reserves in October 1957. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Margaret (nee Stusser) Ley and his brothers Chas (Dorothy), Ben, Fred, Ed and his sisters, Elsie (Bill) Kuntz, Marge (Paul) Weber and Eleanor (Mike) Hayes; and his son and daughter-in-law, Paul Ley Jr. (Jean), daughter, Sally Ley, grandson, Nathan Ley and son-inlaw, Mike Unverferth. Surviving are his children, Tom (Linda) Ley, Chris (Debbie) Ley, Hank Ley, Betsy Ley-Lineback (Bob), Andy Ley (Pat Schmidt), Maggie (Gary) Sibley and Tricia (Don) Eggert; grandchildren, Clint Ley, Chris (Chris) Trentmann, Steve Ley, Dan (Melissa) Ley, Meredith, Robbie and Kristen Ley, A.J. and Jill Unverferth, Amber (Dan) Cook, Chrissy and Casey Eggert; great-grandchildren, Eric, Josh and Jenny Trentmann, Matthew and Samantha Cook and Paul Ley; brother, Hank Ley (Kay) and sisters-in-law, Margaret Mary Ley and Dorothy Ley. Paul was a beloved son-in-law, brother-inlaw, uncle and a wonderful friend. Through the years, Paul enjoyed fishing with his sons and grandsons, a fine cigar, a good cup of coffee, a great poker game and watching the History Channel with his best buddy, Don. His greatest joy in life was his large, loving family. He will be dearly missed. Services: Funeral Monday, Nov. 14, 10am at BUCHHOLZ MATH HERMANN MORTUARY CREMATION CENTER, 837 Mid Rivers Mall Dr. (Between Mexico and Willott), St. Peters, MO 63376. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Paul's memory may be made to Backstoppers.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO) - Saturday, November 12, 2011.