Spirit of America 2014 nominee: Billy Humphries

Nominated by Noon Optimist Club of Cape Girardeau

Billy Humphries

The Noon Optimist Club of Cape Girardeau is proud to nominate one of its own members, Billy Humphries, for the prestigious Spirit of America award.

Billy's professional career, his military background, and his years of volunteer service are remarkable evidence of the attributes fostered by the Spirit of America award.

For most Cape Girardeau residents and visitors, one of his most visible contributions to his community has been something most take for granted: the 500 U.S. flags that line Old Glory Lane through North County Park during special holidays. For 20 years Billy organized the set-up and take-down of the flags.

Billy's contributions of service beyond the call of duty have also been recognized by the Marine Corps League in Cape Girardeau, where he has served as chaplain. Joining the Naval Reserve after graduating from Sikeston High School in 1966, Billy served as a corpsman with the Navy Seabees. He also was a Navy corpsman attached to the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and was responsible for helping injured Marines. Through the Marine Corps League, Billy received the Legion of Honor Award from the Chapel of Four Chaplains for his longtime service to the Boy Scouts and his work with area veterans, including transporting veterans to VA hospitals and clinics.

In addition, he has served twice as commander of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter.

Billy's professional career also has been devoted to the special needs of youths. In 1975 he became a group home manager for the Missouri Division of Youth Services. He also managed a five-county area of DYS facilities. And he managed the 20-bed Girardot Youth Center and organized a youth Optimist club there. He retired from the DYS in 2004.

Since retirement, Billy continues his volunteer work with Boy Scouts, military veterans and the Optimist club. He also was the Stoddard County coordinator last year for Toys for Tots, sponsored by the Marine Corps League. In 2013, Humphries received the KFVS-12 Heartland Hero Award.

Billy and his wife, Dale, of 35 years have two sons, both Eagle Scouts. They live in Cape Girardeau.