Bill Holifield

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Washington Eli "Bill" Holifield, 83, of Perryville died Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2004, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born July 15, 1920, at Cardwell, Mo., son of George Washington and Dorthula Ellar Melton Holifield.

Holifield retired as a milk truck driver with Perryville Cheese Plant, and had owned and operated Bill's Lawn Mower Repair Shop. He was a former deputy with Iron County Sheriff's Department, and was a volunteer fireman.

He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard and Civil Defense.

Survivors include two sons, Ronald Holifield of Arizona, Wayne Holifield of Perryville; three daughters, Delores Archer of Georgia, Cheryl Brace of Perryville, Angela Holifield of Jackson; a stepdaughter, Ashley Kiefer of Jackson; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, two sisters, and a grandson.

Friends may call at Young and Sons Funeral Home Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of service.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Don Cox officiating. Burial will be in Reagan Chapel Cemetery in Bollinger County.