Billy Don Edmonds

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Billy Don Edmonds, 61, Nevada, passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2009, at St. John's Regional Medical Center, Joplin, following a lengthy illness. He was born April 16, 1948, in Butler, to William Donald Edmonds and Norma Frances Cole Edmonds. He married Marilyn Kay Grooms on Feb. 14, 1980, in Miami, Okla., and she survives of the home.

Billy was raised in Butler and graduated from Butler High School in 1966. He attended CMSU in Warrensburg, Mo., and graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor's of Science degree in social work. Billy worked for 34 years for the Department of Mental Health, retiring as superintendent from the Nevada Habilitation Center in 2004. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Nevada. Billy served on the Nevada City Council and served two terms as Mayor. He was a member of the Nevada Country Club and was an avid golfer.

Survivors in addition to his wife Marilyn include one son, Brian Edmonds and his wife Joya, Kansas City, Mo.; one granddaughter, Naomi; his mother, Norma Edmonds, Nevada; two brothers, Danny Edmonds and his wife Carole, Maryville, Mo., and Kelly Edmonds, St. Louis, and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., on Saturday, May 16, at the United Methodist Church in Nevada with Pastor Ralph Clark officiating. Interment will follow at Balltown Cemetery, Horton, Mo. Friends may call now and until 8 p.m. on Friday at Ferry Funeral Home, 301 S. Washington, Nevada.

Those who wish may contribute to the Vernon County Cancer Relief Fund in care of Mike Turnbull, 709 W. Park Hill Drive, Nevada.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.