William English

William R. "Bill" English, 85, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, July 27, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

He was born Jan. 20, 1919, at Diehlstadt, Mo., son of W.A. and Nettie Mae McGinnis English. He and Evelyn Holmes were married Dec. 24, 1944, at the home of his parents in Benton, Mo.

Mr. English was a graduate of Benton High School, attended Southeast Missouri State University and graduated from Officers Candidate School.

He entered the U.S. Army Dec. 6, 1941, serving three years with the Persian Gulf Command in the Middle East. He was discharged in 1946. He continued service to his country in Missouri National Guard, retiring as a captain in January 1979.

Mr. English was employed in personnel and plant management during his working career. He was a life elder at First Christian Church, member of American Legion Post 63, a former Mason and was very active in community service in his younger years.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Roger Lee English of Gordonville, Dr. William Robert English of Clarksville, Tenn.; a grandson, Ben English of Wausau, Wis.; two granddaughters, Tonya Renee English and Amy Lynn English of Cape Girardeau; a great-granddaughter, Brandi Nicole Bell of Cape Girardeau, a great-grandson, Will English of Wausau; a sister, Nada Bradford of Cape Girardeau; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, a brother and an adopted brother.

Friends may call Thursday at First Christian Church from 11:30 a.m. to service time.

The funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. at the church, with the Revs. Rodger Kiepe and Chandler Crawford officiating. Entombment will be in Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to First Christian Church Building Fund, 2411 Abbey, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63701, or American Cancer Society.