William "Bull" Bader

(From Ulmer Funeral Home)

William E. (Bull) Bader passed away on July 23, 2014 at Gainesville Health Care Center where he resided.

 Bill was born September 16, 1918 in Stuttgart, Germany. His family immigrated to the United States in 1927. They lived in NYC for a short time before moving to a farm near Mayville, MI, where Bill attended and graduated from Mayville High School. He also attended Central Michigan Teachers College before being drafted to the Army in 1940. He served with the Military Police in Fort Snelling, MN when World War II began. When Camp Crowder, Neosho, opened, Bill was one of the first personnel to occupy the post. While stationed in Neosho, he met Dorothy Hannum of Carthage, Mo and they later wed. Bill left for overseas in the Pacific in 1944. He served in the 529th Signal Assault Co. participating in the invasion of Okinawa in 1945. After home from war, Bill put his military skills to use with the state of Missouri reorganizing National Guard units post war. He was the first unit administrator for the Carthage National Guard Unit. He served in that capacity from the late 1940’s through 1977. Many young men were trained under his leadership knowing him as Old Bull, as warrant officer in charge of administration or as Co. 1st Sergeant. Bill spent many hours assisting young men at the job he enjoyed. He called all the guys in the unit “his boys.” He retired in 1977 from the state service. In 2007 Bill moved from Carthage to Gainesville, Mo to live near his daughter Karen.

 Bill was preceded in death by wife and longtime companion Dorothy Hannum Bader, 2001. He is survived by two daughters Kathy and spouse Michael Huckaby of Woodland, Tx and Karen and spouse Charles Myers of Pontiac, Mo; and one son Bill and spouse Sylvia Bader of Carthage; two grandchildren Jeff Bader and Jamie Edmondson; and four great-grandchildren. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 26, 2014 at the Ulmer Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be held prior to the service at 9:00 a.m. Burial will be at Park Cemetery, Carthage, Missouri. Contributions can be made to the 203rd Hounddog Retiree Association care of Ulmer Funeral Home. Online condolences can be made at www.ulmerfh.com.

 Arrangements are under the direction of the Ulmer Funeral Home.