William Colyer

MCCLURE, Ill. -- William M. "Witz" Colyer, 72, of McClure died Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2001, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Feb. 13, 1929, in Cape Girardeau, son of Moses and Dona Johnson Colyer. He and Betty Adams were married May 3, 1952, in Cairo, Ill.

Witz was a lifelong resident of the McClure area. He worked on the family farm, was a route man with Pevely Dairy, and was an electrician with Missouri Pacific Railroad 10 years. He was an electrical contractor from 1965 until retiring in 1991. He established Witz Restaurant in East Cape Girardeau, Ill., and operated it from 1982 to 1995.

He was a regular participant in Southern Illinois and Southeast Missouri barbecue contests.

Witz was a member of East Cape Baptist Church in East Cape Girardeau, American Legion Post in McClure, IBEW Local 1, charter member and trustee for the Village Board of East Cape Volunteer Fire Department, member of Coast Guard Auxiliary, and 4-Wheel Riding Club.

He established Witz Landing at Thebes, Ill., which he owned and operated 14 years. He was an avid boater and hunter. He served in the U.S. Army from Nov. 29, 1950 to June 12, 1957.

Survivors include his wife; three daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Randy Myers of Wolf Lake, Ill., Karen and Mark Eovaldi of Murphysboro, Ill., Billi and Tim Ellis of Grand Tower, Ill.; a brother, Wilburn Colyer of Cape Girardeau; three sisters, Vera Hart, Ruth Anderson and Wilma Matlock, all of McClure; seven grandchildren, Will Myers, Sara Girot, Amanda Myers, Geri Ellis, Taylor Ellis, Jake Ellis and Mollie Ellis; and a great-granddaughter, Kiersten Myers.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau from 4-8 p.m. today.

Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. The Rev. Raymond Oxford will officiate. Burial will be in Lindsey Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lindsey Cemetery Fund or East Cape Baptist Church.