W illiam David (Bill) Boon, Sr. 92, of Portageville, MO passed away at his home on Monday, July 18, 2016 after an illness.

B orn on September 25, 1923 to Harrison and Clara Boon, Bill was a lifelong resident of Portageville and was involved in the community throughout his life. As a young man, he attended Kemper Military School in Boonville, MO. He later joined the Army Air Force where he trained to be a pilot. After graduating from the University of Missouri with a B.S. in Agriculture, he returned to Portageville where he farmed cotton and soy beans on his family farm. He also owned a crop dusting business, an Oliver Tractor dealership and a well digging business throughout the course of his life. He retired from the University of Missouri Delta Research Center in Portageville, where as Assistant Superintendent, he ran the farming operations. He was a long time board member and past president of Portageville Farmer's Gin.

O ther than his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Jean (Hollowell) Boon, and his sister, Mary Louise Conn. He is survived by his children, David (Joni) Boon, Mary Jean Collins, of Louisville, KY and Michael (Robbie) Boon, of Safford, AZ; his grandchildren, Eric Mattingly, David Mark (Shannon) House, Jillian Boon and Jake Boon; his great grandchildren, Ava and Wyatt House, all of Louisville, KY and his beloved dog and constant companion, Susie.

H e was a man of many talents and interests and could build or fix just about anything. "Grandad" loved his family and taught each of his children and grandchildren the value of a strong work ethic. He loved the water and sailing and built his own sailboat. In retirement, he and Martha Jean traveled widely to arts and crafts shows with their unfinished wood and wrought iron hand crafted items and he held a patent on an iron firewood carrier. He had a wide circle of friends and enjoyed entertaining with a fish fry or his famous duck stew. They loved to load up their motor home and travel to Louisville for extended stays with their children and grandchildren, who enjoyed them so much.

T he family would like to say thank you to the many friends and neighbors who were such a help to he and Martha Jean through the years and most recently, showed such kindness and caring to "Mr. Billy" during his illness.