Alvin Bess

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Alvin H. "Buddy" Bess, 77, a lifelong resident and prominent businessman of Poplar Bluff died Friday, May 11, 2007, at his residence.

Mr. Bess, son of the late Joda William and Mary Margaret (Smith) Bess, was born April 30, 1929, in Poplar Bluff. He was a member of the New Life Christian Church United. Mr. Bess served in the U.S. Navy from 1950 to 1954.

Owner and operator of Bess Wholesale Beer Distributors in Poplar Bluff, Mr. Bess was also a member of the Eagles National Beer and State Wholesale Association as well as the NAWD. He was a member of the Missouri Merchants and Manufacturers Association, a member of the Poplar Bluff, Missouri and United States Chamber of Commerce; and a member of the American Legion, AmVets, Elks Lodge and Eagles Lodge.

In 1986, he was selected by Congressman Bill Emerson to the White House Conference on Small Businesses, and in 1995 he was selected as Poplar Bluff Citizen of the Year.

On March 24, 1956, he married LaVonne Lewis, in Corning, Ark. She preceded him in death Sept. 29, 2003.

Survivors include five children: William H. Bess II and Jane Ellen Bess, both of Jackson; Kelley Lee Innes and husband, Mike, of Poplar Bluff; Margaret Ann Guettermann and husband, David, of Millersville; and James Kinder and wife, Kimberly, of St. Louis; five grandchildren, Ryan Harkey, Logan Harkey, Joshua Guettermann, Derrick Innes and Stephanie Innes; a great-grandson, Robert Innes; a sister, Nancy Diane Sites, of Blackwater, Mo.; and a brother, Joda Lee Bess of Cape Girardeau.

A sister, Betty Joyce Dengler, also preceded Mr. Bess in death.

The funeral was held Tuesday at First Christian Church in Poplar Bluff. The Rev. Morris Ball officiated, with the Rev. Jim Hoyt assisting. Burial was in Memorial Gardens Cemetery at Poplar Bluff, with military honors presented by Missouri Military Funeral Honors Team and Friends of the National Rifle Association.

Cotrell Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.cotrellfuneralservice.com.