Jess William (Bill) Luther, the son of William Brown & Nellie Ruth Luther, was born in Kingston, Missouri on February 10, 1927 and passed away Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at the Harrison County Community Hospital at the age of 89.
He graduated from Hamilton High School in May of 1945, where he excelled in basketball. He served in the Army for 2 years.
On February 26, 1950, he married Virginia Mae Dunlap, to this union 7 children were born. They moved to a farm in Bethany in 1965. During his 89 years of life Bill traveled many different roads, he attended and graduated from Auctioneer School, and he loved farming and did farm most of his life. He sold real estate and was instrumental in starting the Harrison County Girls Softball Association. He drove 391 head of cattle from Hatfield to south of Bethany in November 1974. It was in all the papers as the “Last Cattle Drive in Missouri”. He started his own dog food business, “Simon’s Choice Dog Food”. He loved square dancing, Limousine Cattle, Horses, dogs, hunting and fishing, but his biggest love was always his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved taking them fishing and “counting their ribs” tickling them.
On October 30, 2007 Bill married Norma Higdon Smith. Together they loved to garden, especially tomatoes and they loved flowers and fishing. Bill also loved woodworking and making flower boxes. He loved sharing his plants, and produce with neighbors and friends. He loved to tease and tell jokes, always laughing with a smile on his face.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Virginia Mae, an infant daughter, Brenda Kay; brothers: Virgil and Art Luther; sisters, Betty, Norma Lee and Juanita; and grandson: Jeff Luther.
Survivors include his wife: Norma; children: Barbara Luther of Independence, MO, Esther (Jerry) McIntosh of Bethany, Jerry (Rhonda) Luther of New Hampton, Debbie (Tom) O’Neil of Bethany, Bill (Lisa) Luther of McFall, Rose (Greg) Fenimore of McFall; step-sons: Don (Carol) Stanley of Peoria, IL, DH Smith, Jr. of Cordova, IL; brothers: Jack Luther, Jim (Virginia) Luther; brother-in-law: Robert Ray; grandchildren: Kathy (Paul) Daniel, Kristy (Kevin) Stove, Kelli (Phil) Pritchett, Jennifer (Herb) Menneke, Danny Harding, Amber (Billy) Briggs, Brandy (Michael) DeShon, Jamie (Brian) Nehl, Christopher (Lacy) Raines, Nathaniel Raines, Andrew Raines, Clinton (April) Fenimore, Erica (Josh) Adkins, Tyler (Katie) Fenimore; 26 great grandchildren.
Funeral services were Sunday, June 12, 2016 at the United Methodist Church, Bethany. Inurnment in Miriam Cemetery at a later date. Memorial gifts to the Harrison County Ball Association in care of Bethany Memorial Chapel P O Box 341, Bethany, MO 64424. Tributes maybe left at www.bethanymemorialchapel.com.