Billie Joe Griffin Sr.

Billie Joe Griffin Sr., 83, of Monroe City, Mo., died at 1:17 a.m. Monday, Nov. 2, 2009, at Harry S. Truman Veterans Memorial Hospital in Columbia, Mo.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Monroe City, Mo. The Rev. Kenneth Schamber will officiate. 
Burial with full military rites by VFW Post 4240 will be at St. Jude Cemetery in Monroe City. Mo.
Mr. Griffin will be laid to rest with an avenue of flags and a motorcade escort by The Patriot Guard Riders.  
Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the James O’Donnell Funeral Home in Hannibal, Mo.
Mr. Griffin  was born Jan. 18, 1926, in Monroe City, Mo., to John William and Nellie Mae Scott Griffin.
He was married to Delores M. Reagan on July 30, 1950, in Hannibal, Mo. She preceded him in death April 1, 2003.
Survivors include one daughter, Hollie Bastian (Cecil), Center, Mo.; two sons, Billie Joe Griffin Jr. (Debbie), Thompson, Mo., and David Griffin (friend - Lisa Ruby), Monroe City, Mo.; two brothers-in-law, Marvin Reagan (Cecil), Monroe City, Mo., and George McKinny, Monroe City, Mo.; one sister-in-law, Willa McKinney, Monroe City, Mo.; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Delores; his parents; one grandson, Joshua Bastian; and six brothers and sisters.
Pfc. Billie Joe Griffin was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He received his training at Fort Riley, Kan., in the Horse Calvary, fought overseas and with the Chinese Combat Command and was a volunteer soldier of the historic Merrirls Marauders on a Burma India Tour. He was awarded the Bronze Star, four Bronze Campaign Stars and an Accommodation Medal along with numerous other service awards.
He was fondly known in the Monroe City Community as “old man.”
Mr. Griffin followed his military enlistment with employment at the Peoria Ill., Caterpillar Company and The Rocket Truck Stop. He retired from Kulhman Diecasting in 1989. He enjoyed tinkering with small engines, enjoyed a good hunting dog, traveling with his wife, playing with his grandchildren and visiting over coffee in the early mornings with his friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church or the Alzheimer’s Association in care of the James O’Donnell Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Dennis Lorenson Jr., Patric Minter, Cecil Bastian IV, Trey Paul Gander, Phillip Cheek, Bobby Roe, Michael Roe and Marlan Reagan.
Online condolences may be made at www.jamesodonnellfuneralhome.com.