Billy Joe Ghan, 94, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away Sunday, January 15, at The Manor where he lived following a long and valiant battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Bill was born Dec. 7, 1928, in Clever, Missouri, the son of the late Hester Garoutte and stepfather Tony Garoutte. He graduated from Clever High School in 1946. Bill served in the United States Army from 1952 to 1954, including 17 months in Korea. He attained the rank of sergeant. On March 5, 1955, he was united in marriage to Maxine Smith in Clever, Missouri.

Bill graduated from Southwest Missouri State College in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. In 1959 he graduated from Kansas State College in Pittsburg, Kansas, with a Master’s in Education. He did additional coursework at the University of Missouri.

Bill started his career in 1950 as a coach and teacher in Sparta, Missouri. In 1954 he coached at Greenfield, Missouri. In 1955 he coached and taught history in Carthage, Missouri. In 1956 through 1961 he was principal at Greenfield High School. From 1961 through 1965 he was superintendent of schools in Golden City, Missouri. From 1965 through 1986 he was director and coordinator of adult education for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. He retired from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in 1986. During his tenure with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, he authored many publications including the first state plan for adult basic education.

Bill and Maxine loved their years living in Jefferson City, Missouri, but were excited to move back to southwest Missouri following both their retirements. They lived in Nixa, Missouri, from 1992 until 2019 when they moved first to The Gardens in Springfield, Missouri, and later that year to The Manor at Elfindale.

Athletics played a significant role in Bill’s life. He loved all sports, but especially basketball, football and golf. During his years of coaching, he had the opportunity to work with and mentor hundreds of young athletes. He enjoyed the camaraderie of the teams and getting to know his players and their families. He coached many successful high school teams, including leading the 1957 and 1958 Greenfield Wildcat football teams to undefeated seasons. There were basketball memories as well, and Bill often told of the game where every member of the opposing team fouled out. The story was even reported in the New York Herald Tribune.

Bill and Maxine were avid Missouri State Bears basketball fans and were longtime season ticket holders for both the men’s and women’s teams, rarely missing a home game for a decade.

Bill was the eternal optimist with a jovial spirit. He was respected and well-liked by all who had the opportunity to work with him or meet him in other capacities. He always had a kind word for all and was fond of saying “Don’t sweat the small stuff…and it’s all small stuff.”

Bill is survived by his wife of 67 years, Maxine, also of The Manor; his son Brent and his wife, Cheri, of Columbia, Missouri; and his daughter, Lisa Blumenstock, and her husband, Dan, of Republic, Missouri. He also is survived by his grandson Chris Ghan, of Denver, Colorado; and two step grandchildren, Ryan Blumenstock and his wife, Rikki, of Nixa, Missouri; and Lauren Gum and her husband, Steven, and their three children, Amelia, Alivia, and Addilyn of Mountain Grove, Missouri. Also surviving is Mary Ann Greene, wife of his late half-brother Joe Greene.

Bill was preceded in death by his mother, stepfather and two half-brothers, Joe and Mike Greene.

Bill was a member of the Sunset Church of Christ in Springfield, Missouri.

Visitation for Bill will be 9:30 – 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 19, at Greenlawn  Funeral Home East with a Celebration of Life  following at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson’ Group of the Ozarks, www.parkinsonsgroup.org  1136 East St. Louis Street, Springfield 65806.