Billy Gene Graham

Billy Gene Graham

Billy Gene Graham, age 84, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015, at the Fort Scott Manor. He was born Oct. 3, 1930, in Devon, Kan., the son of George Frank Graham and Jennie Violet Johnson Graham. Bill served with the United States Army from 1952 to 1954 where he was stationed in Germany. He first married Minnie Galloway. She preceded him in death. He later married Betty Meek on May 9, 1963, at Fort Scott. Bill had worked for Hercules Powder Plant in De Soto, Kan., and later retired from Peerless Products after 30 years of service. In addition he enjoyed raising cattle. He was a member of the First Christian Church and a life member of the Olson Frary Burkhart Post No. 1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a past member of the Devon Masonic Lodge and the Olive Chapter Order of Eastern Star.

Survivors include his wife, Betty, of the home in Fort Scott; three daughters, Maria Smith and husband, Bill, of Fort Scott, Penny Stutes and husband, Ron, of Warsaw, Mo., and Jennifer Almond and husband, Steve, of Fort Scott; two sons, Stanley Meek, of Fort Scott and Frank Graham and wife, Teresa, of Boonville, Mo. Also surviving are numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sons, Chris Meek and Bill Graham, Jr., two grandchildren, Joby Graham Jolly and Brenna Stewart; and two brothers, Charles Graham and Earl Graham.

Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21 at the U.S. National Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post No. 1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars. The family will receive friends at the Cheney Witt Chapel on Monday from 12:30 p.m. until leaving for the cemetery at 1:15 p.m. Memorials are suggested to Mercy Hospice and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.