Obituaries

Billy Junior Hite Billy Junior Hite was born in Halfway, Missouri January 24, 1927, and departed this earthly home for his heavenly home Wednesday, July 13, 2005 at the age of 78 years, 5 months and 19 days, after a five-month battle with cancer.The son of William Cleveland Hite and Julia Frances Neal Hite, Bill graduated from Halfway High School and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He married Louise Countryman on June 9, 1949 in California.Bill worked for several years in the oil fields before returning to Missouri, where he worked as an oil jobber with his brother Berkley. He moved his family to Fresno, California in 1963, where he worked as a backhoe operator for 17 years. After retiring, Bill and Louise returned to Missouri, where Bill remained active in agriculture and anything having to do with cows or horses.His passion was roping, and he won many competitions through his skills. His passion was also people, and a large part of each day included Bill enjoying visiting with his many friends.He was saved in 1949, and was a member of the Bolivar First Assembly of God Church. He had served as a deacon for his church for many years, both in California and Missouri.Bill was preceded in death by his mother and father, an infant brother, Bernard, and his older brother Berkley.Surviving is Louise, his wife for 56 years; two daughters and their husbands, Kathy and Jerry Rutz of Fresno and Lorna and Doyle Dismang of Pleasant Hope, MO; four grandchildren, Kari Mercer and husband Dave of Fresno, Scot Rutz of San Francisco, Shane Ireland and wife Kim of Pleasant Hope, and Cody Dismang of the home; one great grandson, Brody Mercer, and two more great grandchildren soon to be born; his sister-in-law, Martha Hite of Bolivar; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many, many friends.