Bill Fischer

(From Lakin Funeral Home)

Van William (Bill) Fischer was born February 23, 1938, to Walter and Marie (Gorrell) Fischer in Smithville, IL. Bill went to school K-12 in Pierce City; graduating in 1956. He played football for Coach "Poss" Jackson all four years. He also played baseball. 

He met the love of his life, Jackie Sue Pierce, in grade school, and they were united in marriage on May 3, 1958; and spent 59 years together. To this marriage, four children were born: Julie "Fischer" Morrison and husband, John; Debbie "Fischer" Osterloh Williams and husband, Ed; Penny "Fischer" Graves and husband, Richard; and the late William "Billy" V. Fischer; seven grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Mickey Fischer; and a sister, Nancy Henderson and husband, Keith; nieces; nephews; and many friends. He will be missed by many! 

Bill served twenty years in the Air Force and was a Vietnam Vet. Upon retirement, he spent many years as a brick and stone mason. He helped build the flooded mine at Silver Dollar City and the Battlefield Mall in Springfield. He did masonry on the Masonic Lodge that was taken down in the tornado of 2003. Bill was a member of the American Legion Post of Pierce City where he served as past commander. He was a member of Decatur Lodge #400 in Pierce City and also a member of the Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Temple in Springfield where he belonged to the Shrine Clown Unit, joining in 1983. As a Shriner, he sponsored a local child with a disability to go to Shriner's Hospital in St. Louis for treatment to help her walk.

In his spare time, Bill enjoyed woodcarving and especially mountain men on logs and many three-dimension characters that he sold at craft shows. One of his biggest carving was the front doors of the Methodist Church in Pierce City. He loved to deer hunt and fish. He looked forward to the annual American Legion fishing trip to Twin Bridges on Grand Lake in Oklahoma. After a day of fishing, laughing, and beer drinking, it was back to base camp where he was "chief" cook. Nothing compared to dad going deer hunting and coming home with a deer in the trunk of his car. There are too many stories to tell; too many secrets to keep. 

Welcoming Bill to heaven included his parents, Walter and Marie Fischer; his wife, Jackie Sue Fischer; his son, Billy Fischer; and his dog, Little Brownie.

The family will receive friends at Lakin Funeral Home on Sunday, August 30, 2026, from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. A Masonic Service will begin at 8:00 PM.

Burial, with Military Honors, will be at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, MO on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to "Haven of the Ozarks" in care of the funeral home. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City, MO.