Billy Gene Coale

Billy Gene Coale, 70, Nevada, Mo., passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. He was born June 16, 1936, in Nevada, to William B. Coale and Wilma Phipps Coale. He married Betty Ann Fenton on July 15, 1955, in Milo, Mo. She preceded him in death on June 12, 2000.

Billy grew up in the Milo area and lived his whole life in Vernon County. He graduated from Nevada High School in 1954. He operated Coale Painting for many years which he took over from his father. Later he owned and operated Coale Body Shop from the late 1960-'80s. He had been retired due to illness since 1995. He and Betty's hobby were hot rod garden tractor enthusiasts and enjoyed participating in area garden tractor pulls.

Survivors include three children, Toni Jackson and her husband, Kip, Nevada, Clay Coale and his wife, Bonnie, Nevada, and Sherie Weber and her husband, Bruce, Moundville, Mo.; three grandchildren, Joshua and Alicia Weber, Nevada, Cody Martin and her husband, John, Nevada, and Melissa Fritter and her husband, Marc, Nevada; one great-grandson, Derek Fritter; one sister, Connie Connelly and her husband, Russell, Nevada; one brother, Samuel Coale, El Dorado Springs, Mo.; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Betty, he was preceded in death by his parents; one grandson, Jason Allen Coale; and one infant daughter, Christina Marie.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, Dec. 8, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, with Kennon Shaw officiating. A committal service will follow in Moore Cemetery. Friends may call now and until the hour of service at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.

Those who wish may contribute in his memory to the National Stroke Association or the American Heart Association in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

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