Bill Askew

William Jennings Askew, 81, of Cape Girardeau passed away peacefully Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007, at his home surrounded by his family, following a three-year battle with cancer.

Bill was born Nov. 5, 1925, in Cape Girardeau, son of Jack and Zora Anderson Askew of Cape Gir­ardeau.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the Pacific. At the end of the war, stationed at Duke University, Bill met and married Iona Perry June 8, 1946, in Durham, N.C. They recently celebrated their 61st anniversary.

Bill retired in 1996 after being employed by Missouri Pacific Railroad, Marquette Cement Co., Local Labor Union 282 and Eagle Oil Co. He also owned and operated Askew's Mobil Station at the corner of Broadway and Henderson Avenue.

While raising a family he was a member of First Baptist Church and the local VFW. He spent his leisure time serving as a scorekeeper for Southeast Missouri State University basketball team, crappie fishing, coaching Little League baseball, playing American Legion baseball, and fast-pitch softball with the Jets.

The past 15 years he has been very active as a deacon of First Baptist Church, serving as vice president and board member of the local FISH Food Pantry, and delivered for Meals on Wheels. He also enjoyed raising cattle.

Survivors include his wife, Iona Askew, four children: Susan Yvonne Askew and Bill (Carol) Askew Jr., both of Tarpon Springs, Fla., Shireen (Bill) Eckelmann of Cape Girardeau, Kimberly (Kenny) Weik of Festus, Mo.; nine grandchildren, Robert Askew, Chris Askew, Angie Askew Black, Travis Eckelmann, Amy Eckelmann Harvey, Sydney Weik, Jonathon Weik, Ryan Weik, Rachel Weik; eight great-grandchildren; a brother, Kenneth (Rosemary) Askew of Cape Girardeau; and a sister, Helen Allen of Clermont, Fla.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Imogene; a half brother and sister, Joseph and Mary Opal.

He will be missed by his family and friends and remembered for his selfless contributions to others.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Church, with the Rev. Mike Shupert officiating. Burial will be in Lorimier Cemetery with full military honors by VFW Post 3838 and Missouri Honors Team.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church or FISH Food Pantry.