Billy Lee Brunk, 89 of Lancaster, Missouri passed away on Thursday, February 17, 2022 at the Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, Missouri.
The son of William Earl and Eva May (White) Brunk, he was born on May 5, 1932 in Savannah, Iowa. He was a graduate of the Lancaster High School in Lancaster, Missouri. On July 2, 1963, in Lancaster, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Rita Jeanette Saulsbury and to this union five children were born, Deborah, Terri, Regina, Brad and Penny.
Bill is survived by his wife, Rita of Lancaster, Missouri; his children, Deborah Kelso and husband, Rick of Downing, Missouri, Terri Snowbarger and husband, Jeff of Macon, Missouri, Regina Luck and husband, Lawrence of Columbia, Missouri, Brad Brunk of Independence, Missouri and Penny Eckles and husband, Guy of Columbia, Missouri; eleven grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Edwin Brunk and wife, Maxine of Tarkio, Missouri, Beverly Aviles of Mattawan, Michigan, Betty Grogan and husband, Jerry of Kearney, Missouri and Nancy Mihalevich and husband, Frank of Kirksville, Missouri; numerous nieces and nephews including a special nephew, Kurtis and Andrea Grogan of Lancaster, Missouri; other family members and many good friends.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents; one great granddaughter, Callie Rose Dowdy and one brother-in-law, Joe Aviles.
Bill faithfully attended the United Methodist Church in Lancaster, Missouri.
Following Bill’s high school graduation, he joined the United States Air Force and served from 1952 through 1972 after which he received an honorable discharge and returned to Lancaster Missouri to raise his family. He and Rita owned and operated the Modernaire Café and then Bill and Rita’s Cafe for a total of twelve years. After selling their restaurant business, Bill was a custodian for the school system for approximately ten years from which he retired to enjoy his hobby of fishing, gardening, teasing people and drinking coffee with friends.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 21, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri with Josh Ritzheimer, Pastor of the United Methodist Church assisted by Sonny Smyser, Pastor of the Schuyler County Church of Faith. Music will be special CD selections of “God Will Take Care of You” and “Daddy’s Hands.” Visitation will be held on Monday, February 21, 2022 between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. at the Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri. Memorials have been established for the Arni Memorial Cemetery or to the Schuyler County Nutrition Site. Online condolences may be expressed to the family by logging on to normanfh.com. A private burial will be in the Arni Memorial Cemetery in Lancaster, Missouri at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Norman Funeral Home of Lancaster, Missouri.