William “Vernon” Sexson, 89, of Kingsville, Missouri, died Monday, May 2, at his daughter Geneva’s home in Kingsville.

A funeral service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, at Williams Funeral Chapel in Holden with Pastor John McRoy, of Kingsville Baptist Church, officiating. Interment will be at the Pittsville Cemetery. There will be a Masonic graveside service and also military honors provided by VFW Post 5844 and Munday-Hancock Post 90, American Legion. Pallbearers will be Douglas Warren, Chad Sheets, Joey Thornburg, Bob Zimmer Jr., Bob Zimmer III, and Scott Strohmeyer. Honorary pallbearers will be Scotty Walker, Sam Raber, Jack Wharton, Rick Dooley and Jack Timmons.

The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Vernon was born Feb. 25, 1927, in Garden City, Missouri, the son of James “Roy” Sexson and Grace (King) Sexson. When he was a young boy, the family moved to a farm near Magnolia. He joined the United States Army Air Corp in June of 1945. Vernon married Betty Irene Nay on Jan. 21, 1950. During this time he was a bulldozer operator with Pete Schifflet. He farmed, drove a milk truck for Glenn Simmermon and, later, he was a mechanic at Golladay Motors in Holden. Vernon married Betty Jean Smith on Jan. 8, 1965. He drove a bulk truck for Bill Hobbs, retiring in 1989. In retirement, he delivered the Holden Progress and later, the Image. Vernon was also a lifetime member of Holden Masonic Lodge No. 262, A.F. & A.M. He was also a 50-year member of Holden Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5844.

Survivors include two sons, William “Billy” Sexson, of Warrensburg, and Robert Sexson and wife, Felecia, of Creighton; four daughters, Geneva Sheets and husband, Charles, of Kingsville; Mary Jo Spellerberg and husband, Joe, of Warsaw; Janet Thornburg and husband, Melton, of Creighton; and Betty Kay Sumey, of Kingsville; three stepdaughters, Jean Zimmer, of Lee’s Summit; Terry Hillsman, of Warrensburg; and Kay Warren and husband, Doug, of Holden; 21 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; two great-great-granddaughters; and a niece, Sandra Sexson, of Warrensburg. He was preceded in death by his second wife, Betty Jean, and his brother and sister-in-law, James and Elsie Sexson.

 

Memorial contributions are suggested to Holden Masonic Lodge or Heartland Hospice.

Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net.