Bill Rawlings

(From Daniel Funeral Home)

Billy Allen Rawlings, age 84, of Lamar, Missouri passed away February 2, 2023, at St. Luke's Nursing Center in Carthage, Missouri.

Bill was born September 3, 1938 in Rural Barton County, Missouri to Fred Franklin Rawlings and Lora Gladys (Bright) Rawlings . Bill graduated from Lamar High School in the class of 1956. After graduation, he served in the National Guard. 

On July 28, 1962, Bill married the love of his life, Bonda Lynn Divine in Lamar, MO.

Bill worked for Finley Engineering for 47 years and was a member of the Lamar Fire Department for 53 years, serving as Fire Chief for 46 of those years. Bill was a member of the Southwest Fire Chiefs Association, designed the county wide 911 address mapping system for Barton County and also was instrumental in starting the rural fire district. Bill was a member of Metro Club and was a founding member of the Lamar Booster Club. Bill was honored with being named Rotary Man of the Year in 2009. 

In 1974, Bill and long time friend Bob Slinker started the youth flag football program. Bill loved sports, especially the Lamar Tigers, and for 50 years he would park the family station wagon, or van, in the same parking spot, usually hours before the game. He was a member of the "chain gang" from 1971-2001. He was also a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals. Summer nights were filled with the sounds of Jack Buck announcing the St. Louis Cardinals coming from the garage or an open car window, with Stan Musial being his all time sports hero.

Survivors include his wife Bonda; two sons, Stanley Allen (Tammie) Rawlings and Steven Len Rawlings; five grandchildren, Dustin (Christi) Ragsdale, Loni (Kyle) Ridenhour, Nicole Rawlings, Brett Rawlings and Sarah Rawlings; seven great-grandchildren, Skyler Ragsdale, Aniston Ragsdale, Maylee Rawlings, Tripp Jones, Trenten Jones, Olivia Jones and Weston Ridenhour; sister-in-law, Lora Rawlings; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Lynn and Keith Divine, Theresa Jo and Doug Faubion and John and Kerry Divine.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Helen Winningham and her husband Earl Winningham; one brother, Jerry Rawlings; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Luanna Olson and Jim Olson.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 11, 2023 at Daniel Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 pm, Friday, February 10, 2023 at the funeral home.

Contributions are suggested and made payable to the Lamar Fire Department or the Lamar Booster Club in care of Daniel Funeral Home.

Condolences may be shared at www.dfhlamar.com