William (Bill) Eugene Mobley
December 2, 1937 – February 21, 2025
William (Bill) Eugene Mobley, 87 of Downing, Missouri passed away on Friday, February 21, 2025 at the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia, Missouri.
The son of James William and Martha Elizabeth (Spriggs) Mobley, he was born on December 2, 1937 in rural Downing, Missouri. He was a 1956 graduate of Downing High School in Downing, Missouri. Two weeks after his graduation from high school, Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was united in marriage to Margaret Ella George on June 8, 1958 at the Lancaster Christian Church in Lancaster, Missouri and to this union three children were born, Robert Bruce, Robin Sue and Pamela Lea.
Bill is survived by his three children, Bruce Mobley and wife, Jeanie of Macon, Missouri, Robin Jackson and husband, Donald of Queen City, Missouri and Pam Stice and husband, Tony of Newton, Iowa; 8 grandchildren, Ronald Jackson and Shaelyn Scoon of Downing, Missouri, Kade Jackson and wife, Chelsea of Downing, Missouri, Kala Miller and husband, Eric of Ottumwa, Iowa, Riley Jackson and wife, Kyla of Bloomfield, Iowa, Kara Fleshman and husband, Brady of Columbia, Missouri, Veronica Stice and Amelia Turner of Des Moines, Iowa, Melanie Genskow and husband, Adam of Newtown, Iowa and Kalee Jackson and Sam Craft of Queen City, Missouri; 15 great grandchildren; one sister, Susan Elizabeth Anderson and husband, Ronnie of Center, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Sandra Mobley of Athens, Georgia; numerous nieces and nephews and other family members.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Margaret on January 24, 2021; one sister, Valeria Ann Dupey and husband, Bob; two brothers, Robert “Bob” Lee and wife, Joyce Mobley and Clifford Joe Mobley and one nephew, William Alan Mobley.
Bill joined the United States Air Force in 1956 where he was trained in drafting and surveying where he became a Civil Engineer. He was an E7 Master Sergeant and was stationed in Korea for 1 year along with many trips to Vietnam during the war. In 1976, Bill retired from the United States Air Force following 20 years of service.
Following his military retirement, Bill returned to Downing, Missouri and opened up Mobley’s Antiques. He used his skills to become a master weaver and rebuilt over 80 looms. Bill was the Downing City Marshall for 8 years, City Alderman for 2 years and then appointed mayor for 5.5 years.
Bill was a member of the Downing Community Christian Church and attended faithfully until the closing of the church. He was a 52 year member and a 32nd degree Mason. He was also a member of the Lions Club, Shriners Club and an avid poker player.
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A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, March 2, 2025 between the hours of 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. at the Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri with Masonic Services being held at 2:30 p.m. The body will be interred at Jacksonville, Missouri at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery at a later date. Memorials have been established for Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville, Missouri. Online condolences may be expressed to the family by logging on to normanfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Norman Funeral Home of Lancaster, Missouri.