William Letts

William Dot Letts, 83, of Cape Girardeau passed away Monday, May 2, 2022, after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

Dot was born Nov. 16, 1938, in Stark City, Missouri, to the late union of Loyd William Letts and Georgia Bernice Crawford. On Oct. 2, 1958, he married the love of his life, Elizabeth Kay Pettit. They shared countless memories and four children in their 58-year marriage before Kay passed Dec. 27, 2016. There wasn't a day that went by he didn't talk about Kay and how much he missed her.

After high school, he joined and honorably served in the U.S. Air Force.

Dot worked in the box factory at Atlas Powder Co. for more than 30 years and retired in 2002. He was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan, and he loved the casino, cars and fishing. He loved to tell jokes and make people laugh. He had an amazing memory and could recite entire episodes of "Andy Griffith," "Everybody Loves Raymond," "Big Bang Theory," "Gunsmoke" and "Friends." He was a skilled card player and was especially good at pitch, casino and poker. He played the crossword every day and could solve any puzzle, even in the Sunday paper. He was an incredible cook, and his specialties included all kinds of soup, potato salad and pineapple upside down cake.

Dot spent the final months of his life in the company of his loving family, playing cards with his siblings and his daughter, Kristy, visiting with his son, Mark, and daughter, Kim, in Joplin. He never lost his fighting spirit, sharp wit and good sense. He loved telling stories of his childhood, his time in the Air Force, his friends at Atlas and his beloved wife and family. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten by those that adored him.

He is survived by his three children, Mark Letts of Joplin, Kim Letts of Grove, Oklahoma, and Kristy (Paul) Robison of Cape Girardeau; 11 grandchildren, Phillip (Desiree) Robison, Alyssa (Jeff) Brown, Alexandra (Alan) Rhodes, Megan (Austin) Gilbert, Molly (Zach) Vahldick, Hunter (Aleigh) Randall, Benjamin Robison, Hali Letts, Logan (Harley) Hill, Emma Robison and Caroline Robison; 12 great-grandchildren, Sloan, Liam, Grant, Ezra, Jude, Oakleigh, Navy, Jovie, Ozzie, Greyson, Olivia and Hugo; eight siblings, Betty (the late Cecil) Clevenger, Clara (Richard) Simmons, Patsy (Everett) Shumate-Reynolds, Sharry (Rick) Stout, Bradley (Jackie) Letts, Steven (Cathy) Letts, Timothy (Carla) Letts and Charles (Deon) Letts; cousin, Kenneth (the late Esther) Mahurin, who was like a brother to him; and many nieces, nephews and treasured friends.

Dot was preceded in death by his father, Loyd; mother, Georgia; brother, Bobby Dale; in-laws, Robert and Judy Pettit; infant son, Michael; and wife, Kay.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Dot and Kay were longtime supporters of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Please feel free to donate in their memory.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary in Joplin.