William R. “Pete” Graham, age 78, of Springfield, MO, passed away May 10, 2018 following a illness of several months. Pete was born July 1, 1939 in Aurora Missouri, son on Edward E. “Barney” Graham and Clara Maria Bargen Graham.
Pete was educated in Springfield public schools and graduated from Central in 1957 and was a longtime member of the class reunion committee. While in high school he worked at Cotter’s Pharmacy and after high school worked many other jobs before beginning a career at the State of Missouri Division of Employment Security Office where he worked for 35 years as a faithful employee. He retired in 2001 the day he turned 62. In addition, Pete spent 28 years of his summer vacation working at the Ozark Empire Fair as Concessions Manager.
After a short courtship he married the love of his life, Beverly Mead, on February 2nd, 1964. The two celebrated 54 years in 2018. From this Union came two beautiful daughters, Lorinda Graham Rehagen and Christy Graham, and four awesome grandchildren, Ryan Rehagen, Sam Rehagen (JaLynn Rehagen), Zach Rehagen and Sarah Graham.
Pete was a lifetime active member of St John’s United Church of Christ where he sang in the choir for 64 years. He enjoyed bowling and participated in numerous leagues through-out the years. Pete also enjoyed fishing, camping, golfing, playing fast pitch and slow pitch softball and loved watching his grandkids sporting events. He especially loved his favorite team, the St. Louis Cardinals, and rarely missed listening to a game on the radio or watching it on tv. He was also a longtime member of the Elks Lodge 409. In his free time, Pete was an avid reader.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, two brothers, Bobby (who died in infancy) and Jim Graham, and sister, Betty Graham Carpenter.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly Graham, of the home. He is also survived by daughter Lorinda Rehagen and her husband Richard and their 3 children Ryan, Sam and his wife JaLynn, and Zach daughter Christy Graham and her daughter Sarah Graham, brother Jerry F. Graham, brother-in-law Joe Carpenter and sister-in-law Nancy Graham. Numerous cousins and nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Monday May 14th, from 5-8 p.m. at St Johns Chapel UCC, 4344 S Freemont Ave. Funeral services will be held Tuesday May 15th at 10:00 a.m., also at St Johns Chapel UCC with burial immediately following at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Springfield MO.
The family request in Lieu of flowers, donation be made to St. Johns Chapel Music fund or Children’s Miracle Network.