December 16, 2015

William Henry “Bill” Lewis, age 85 of Amsterdam, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015, in Amsterdam. He was born Oct. 22, 1930, to Percy Wallis and Alice Loraine Russell Lewis in Merwin, Mo.

Bill, one of ten children, grew up in and was a lifelong resident of Amsterdam. He attended Willow Branch Grade School and Amsterdam High School.

On Jan. 25, 1951, he was united in marriage to Marjorie Lea McClanahan and to this union five children were born. Bill was a farmer and raised cattle. He also worked as a rural mail carrier for 20 years. Bill started a port-a-potty business before selling in 2005. Bill was very active in his community. He served on the ASCS Board, was a member of the Beefmaster Association and also served as president of the Miami School Board.

Bill enjoyed working with the 4-H kids, woodworking, and was a talented furniture maker. He made furniture for all his family—and handcrafted several wood pieces for all of his nephews and nieces. Bill could always be found at the school and sporting events of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bill is survived by his wife, Marjorie Lea Lewis, of Amsterdam, Mo.; three sons Richard Lee Lewis and wife, Kathy, and Charles William Lewis and wife, Carol, all of Amsterdam, Mo., and Roy Wallis Lewis and significant other Karen Higgs of Adrian, Mo.; two daughters Carolyn Loraine Bridges and husband, Mike, and Cathryn Sue Slattery and husband, Dennis, all of Amsterdam, Mo.; one brother Jack Lewis and wife, Betty, of Butler, Mo.; three sisters Jean Thornbrugh and husband, Eugene, of Vacaville, Calif., Fern Lewis of LaMirda, Calif., and Judy White and husband, Larry, of Butler, Mo.; 17 grandchildren Chad Lewis and significant other Michelle Blossom-Scheele, Christy DeBruin and husband, Rick, Andy Lewis and wife, Cristy, Carrie Wilson and husband, Tommy, Kyle Lewis and wife, Megan, Kelsey Dean and husband, Phillip, Chris Bridges and wife, Heather, Evan Bridges and significant other Ashley Jacquinot, Darren Bridges and wife, Nikki, Austin Bridges and significant other Taylor Swezey, Ryan Slattery and significant other Cassy VanGilder, Jenna Slattery, Caitlin Slattery, Megan Lewis, Rian Lewis, Zachary Lewis and Clay Mellgren and wife, Therese; and 19 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers Don and Charles; two sisters Doris Luttrell and husband, Norman, and Geral Filbeck and husband, Cub; one brother-in-law Bill Lewis; an infant sister Elsie Irene Lewis; one grandson Jared Slattery; and in-laws Roy and Carolene McClanahan.

Funeral services were Friday, Dec. 11, 2015, at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Mo., with Pastor Chris Frost officiating. Burial in West Point Cemetery, Amsterdam, Mo.

Contributions to Amsterdam Baptist Church or Heartland Hospice. Online condolences, www.schowengerdtchapel.com.