Bill McEntire

(From Parker Mortuary)

William Charles “Bill” McEntire, age 80, Joplin, Missouri, passed away on Monday, June 11, 2018 at home.

Bill was born on February 4, 1938 in Marion County, Arkansas, the son of Ernest V. and Dorothy Morris McEntire. Bill graduated from the School of the Ozarks (now known as College of the Ozarks) in 1956. He was in the first graduating class when the school became a junior college. He met and married Patricia Skinner on April 22, 1961 in Springfield, Missouri. Pat preceded Bill in death on December 8, 1982.

Bill worked as a teacher, a principal and a public-school administrator. He served in the Winfield, Seneca and Centralia, Missouri districts. He received a Distinguished Achievement Award from College of the Ozarks in 2016. In his spare time, Bill loved to bowl. He could be found bowling with the “Senior League” on Fridays. He also enjoyed having coffee with his friends and going around town with them, looking for a good deal on anything, especially cars. He was a member of First Community Church of Joplin.

In addition to his wife, Bill is preceded in death by his parents, a son, Rex Allen McEntire; three sisters, Allena Jennings, Evelyn Cushing, and Virginia Rose.

He is survived by three children, Bonnie Hinds (Ronnie) of Centralia, Missouri, William Charles “Chuck” McEntire, Jr. (Mary) of Frankfort, Indiana and Susan McEntire (Tom Estes) of Joplin, Missouri; seven grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.

Visitation is planned for Sunday, June 17, 2018 from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Parker Mortuary in Joplin. Graveside services are planned for Saturday, June 23rd at 12:00 p.m. in Calvary Cemetery in Portage, Indiana, under the direction of Rees Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to College of the Ozarks, Attn: Development Office, P.O. Box 17, Point Lookout, Missouri 65726.

Local funeral arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.