William T. (Bill) Philbeck
Bill passed away at the age of 93 on Thursday, December 22, 2011 at the Veterans Home in Mt. Vernon. He was born on October 28, 1918 in Longdale, N.C. He graduated from Central High School in 1935 and from Missouri State Teachers College in 1939. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946. Bill was a co-owner of the Goodwill Market at Sunshine and Fremont streets during the ‘40`s and 50`s and was the owner operator of the Farmer’s Market-Shoppers World during the late 50’s. During the 60’s and 70’s he was a sales representative for H.D. Lee Co. and for Arwood of Springfield. His passions were fishing and golf and he was a long time member of Fremont Hills Country Club and most recently a member of Island Green Golf Club.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Roland and Clara Philbeck and two sisters, Evelyn Davidson and Naomi Walker. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Gail, four sons Tom Philbeck of Springfield, Mike Philbeck and wife Connie of Tulsa, OK, Larry Philbeck and wife Dorrie of Keene, TX and Don Philbeck of Kansas City, MO. Also surviving are two sisters, Mary Davis of Omaha, NE and Gwen Morrow of Tallahassee, FL. Bill is also survived by eleven grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
A private ceremony will be held by his family and they ask that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in lieu of flowers. Services have been entrusted in Greenlawn Funeral Home South.