Bill Bahr

ROLLA, Mo. -- Burnell M. "Bill" Bahr, 87, of Rolla passed away Sunday, March 22, 2015, at Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla.

He was born May 16, 1927, in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, to Martin and Anna Bader Bahr. Bill grew up in Chaffee, Missouri, living with his Uncle Otto and Aunt Dora Bader Vessell.

In January 1945, Bill left his senior class early and joined the Navy. He was a pharmacist's mate and served in Iwo Jima.

He and Bertha Ann Wulfers of Cape Girardeau were married May 14, 1949. From this union five sons and a daughter were born.

Bill, Bert and three sons moved to Rolla in 1952 and opened a retail furniture store.

In the 1960s, Bill and his cousin, Clyde Vessell, moved Vessell and Bahr Furniture to the corner of Sixth and Kingshighway in Rolla.

His life reflected many interests. Along with 40 years of retail furniture sales and other businesses, Bill was a farmer and introduced Simmental cattle and thornless blackberries to the area.

His civic duties included grand knight with the Knights of Columbus, and he served proudly on the Phelps County Regional Medical Center Hospital Board several terms.

While all of these interests were important, nothing was more important to Bill than his family.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, two sisters and a grandson, Matthew Martin Bahr.

Survivors include his wife, Bert; five sons, Tony (Susan) Bahr and Tom (Mary) Bahr of Rolla, John (Chris) Bahr of Washington, Missouri, Jerry (Denise) Bahr and Bill (Anna Lytia) Bahr of Rolla; and a daughter, Connie (Jeff) Grisham of Rolla.

Also 18 grandchildren, Joe (Jeana) Bahr of St. James, Missouri, Kim (Rodney) Kestle and Sarah (Shad) Becker of Rolla, Cathy (Isaac) Breuer of Columbia, Missouri, Jane (Bill) O'Connor of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, Wendy (Jimmy) Zumwalt of Belle, Missouri, John (Liz) Bahr of Dallas, Charlie (Crystal) Bahr of Kansas City, Missouri, Drew Bahr, Jay (Jennifer) Bahr and Travis (Mandy) Bahr of Rolla, Terry (Angela) Bahr of Washington, Ben (Traci) Bahr of St. James, Jared (Melissa) Bahr of Kansas City, Candice McIntyre of Rolla, Jennifer McIntyre of Columbia, Casey Grisham and Lindsey Grisham of Rolla; and 32 great-grandchildren, with one expected in August.

Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. The rosary will be at 9 a.m.

Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

The service is under the direction of Sassmann's Chapel of Belle and Rolla Cremation and Memorial.​

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Phelps County Regional Medical Center or St. Patrick's Catholic Parish/School.