Bill Griffith

(From Parker Mortuary)

If you were ever looking for a good story, you knew where to find one. Bill H. Griffith entered his eternal life around 6:30 pm on Saturday December 26 while in the comfort of his own home and surrounded by his family who loved him so much.

The youngest of 6 children, he was born in Eastern Kentucky in June of 1938 to Suell and Minnie Griffith. He spent his childhood in the "hollars" running around back hills and woods until his father relocated the family to Greenwich, a little town in Northern Ohio. Here is where he met his wife of 54 years, Nora, who survives him. He is also survived by 4 children and 5 grandchildren that he loved very much; Bryan Griffith and his daughter Emma, Jerry Griffith and his wife Diana, Gwyneth Griffith-Beaton and her son Luke, and Kimberley Griffith and her two sons Dakota, Wyatt and daughter Reese.

Bill is a military veteran, having served in the United States Navy and was proud to have been a part of commissioning the Naval Ship, the USS Independence. Anyone who knows Bill, knows he always had his blue Military hat on which proudly displayed the ship on front.

As a devout man of God and faithful servant to his Lord, Bill attended the Freewill Baptist Church on Hyacinth Rd in Carthage Missouri. He did whatever he could to help the church, if something needed fixed at the building he was on it. He would go over early and turn on the heat or air before anyone else so the building was comfortable. He served as a Trustee of the Church as well as a Deacon. If you were sick or in the hospital he would make the rounds with his Pastor and good friend, Jim Williams.

He worked as an electrician and retired early moving to Joplin after living a short time in Apache Junction, Arizona. He made Joplin his home and created powerful ties with his church family. A good friend, a loving husband, father and grandfather and favorite uncle to many nieces and nephews, he will leave a void in all lives he touched but he will also leave many touched hearts for he was a gift from God, whose soul has now gone on to rest peacefully and weep no more.

Memorial service will be 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at Freewill Baptist Church, 18715 Hyacinth Road in Carthage with Pastor Jim Williams officiating. Private interment will be in Osborne Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Parker Mortuary.