Bill Dye

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Bill H. Dye, 74, of Advance died Thursday, July 28, 2011, at his daughter's home in Winter Haven, Fla.

He was born March 2, 1937, in Holcomb, Mo., to Owen Thomas and Dula L. Vaughn Dye.

Mr. Dye owned and operated Bill Dye Plumbing and Dependable Plumbing Co. in St. Louis most of his life. He served in the U.S. Army for two years in Korea as a medic. He then came home and served two more years in the Army Reserve. He was a recipient of the Good Conduct Medal. Bill was of the Baptist faith.

He was an avid gardener and a great historian of Southeast Missouri and especially enjoyed family genealogy.

Survivors include four daughters, Dyeanna Portlock of Winter Haven, Fla., Robin O'Neill of Hiwassee, Ga., Gina Keith of Millersville and Laura Storck of Poplar Bluff, Mo.; four brothers, Dean Dye of Oregon, Ill., Owen Dye of Jackson, Harlan Dye of Camdenton, Mo., and Michael Dye of Mount Vernon, Ill.; 14 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Charles "Chuck" Dye; and his sister, Nina Sebastian.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral will be at noon Wednesday at the chapel.

Burial will follow at Gregory Cemetery, Dye Addition, in Kennett, Mo.

Mr. Dye's grandsons will serve as his pallbearers, and his grandson-in-law, Petty Officer First Class Nathan Elling, will be presenting flags to his daughters during the full military honors service at the cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to American Cancer Society or Good Shepherd Hospice in Winter Haven, Fla.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.