William Halcomb

William F. "Bill" Halcomb, 96, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, June 7, 2018, at Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Sept. 29, 1921, in Doniphan, Missouri, to Samuel Jesse and Willa Belle Payton Halcomb. While proudly serving in the Army for five years in the South Pacific during World War II, Bill attained the rank of first lieutenant and earned a Bronze Star. In 1945, upon returning to his hometown of Doniphan, he met and married Nancy Elaine Ponder.

Bill earned a bachelor of science degree, magna cum laude, from Southeast Missouri State College in 1950, and a master of science degree from the University of Illinois in 1956. While teaching at Memphis State University in 1959, he was recruited to establish and develop the Marketing Department for Southeast Missouri State College, where he taught for 25 years.

He is survived by two children, Douglas Halcomb and Laurel (Ron) Schlief; three grandchildren, Chris Halcomb, Scott Halcomb and Andrew Maurer; and five great-grandchildren.

Bill was predeceased by his wife, Elaine Halcomb; a brother, Sam Halcomb; and two sisters, Pauline Brady and Maxine Brady.

A private burial ceremony with military honors will be held in Doniphan.

Memorial donations may be made to any charity.

To view the full obituary or leave online condolences, visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.org.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Veterans Home for its compassionate care.

Funeral arrangements were provided by Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan.