Billy Fitzpatrick

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Billy Don Fitzpatrick, 76, of Sikeston passed away Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012, at Clearview Nursing Center in Sikeston.

He was born May 17, 1935, in Cape Girardeau to Freda Mae Wyatt Nelson. He and Grace Anita Burchyett were married April 26, 1963.

Bill was a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

He began his employment with Harris Motor Co. in Cape Girardeau. He was later employed with Associated Electric Power Plant in New Madrid, Mo., and retired from the Board of Municipal Utilities in 2000 as warehouse supervisor. Bill was a member of Miner Baptist Church, and an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening. He was also a St. Louis Cardinals fan.

Loving survivors include his wife, Grace; a daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Dan Harris of Cape Girardeau; a son and daughter-in-law, David and Kathy Fitzpatrick of Cape Girardeau; two grandsons, Dylan and Ryan Fitzpatrick; two stepgrandchildren, Allison and Logan Harris, all of Cape Girardeau; and a special aunt, Imogene Kelley of Mudville, Tenn.

In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by a twin sister, Betty Fitzpatrick; and his stepfather, Charles Ado Nelson.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Ponder Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Revs. Mitch Jackson and Ron Shrum of Miner Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Lindsey Cemetery in McClure, Ill.

Sikeston pallbearers will be Bill Bloemer, Ron Bloemer, Bob McReynolds, Chester Cardwell, George St. Onge and Jesse Kirk.

Honorary pallbearers in Illinois will be his nephews, Bryan Wagoner, Steve Burchyett, Steve Mueller, Todd Burchyett, John Burchyett and Dave Carlson.

The family request donations be made to Miner Baptist Church Barnabus Fund, 416 State Highway H, Sikeston, MO 63801.

Online condolences may be sent at www.ponderfuneralhome.com.