Billy Joe Grisham, son of the late Orville and Lorene Grisham, was born Oct. 19, 1940, in Dora, and passed away Aug. 16, 2021. He was 80 years, 9 months and 28 days of age. Bill was united in marriage to Connie Jones on March 8, 1963, in Buffalo, Iowa. Bill loved his family and enjoyed watching his grandchildren participate in all of their sporting events. He enjoyed fishing at the pond as often as he could, and he especially loved fishing with his son and grandchildren. Bill was a millwright and he loved working and welding. He took pride in his work and has taught many young men his trade. He retired a couple different times because he wasn’t ready to stop working yet. He also enjoyed farming on the side and rebuilding old tractors.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Connie Grisham, and one daughter, Vicky Sheppard. Bill is survived by one son, Vincent Grisham, of Muscatine, Iowa; two daughters, Sue Gunter and her husband, Randy, of Buffalo, Mo.; Rebecca Thompson, of Mountain Grove; nine grandchildren, Bryce Grisham, Michael Gunter, Jason Gunter and his wife, Ashley, Billy Thompson, Bradlee Thompson, Connie Thompson, Dustin Sheppard, Crystal Sheppard and Bobby Sheese; 13 great-grandchildren, Willow, Elliot, Ezra, Opal, Gaven, Drew, Tyler, Tyson, Katlynn, Eli, Breanna, Jamie Lee and Malachi; and one great-great-grandchild, Noah; two brothers, Robert Grisham and his wife, Dorothy, and Lexie Grisham and his wife, Annabelle; four sisters, Bonnie Wages and her husband, Derrel; Charlotte Connell and her husband, Dick; Rosie Dundas and her husband, Bruce; and Donna Hensley; and many other extended family and friends who will miss him. Funeral services for Bill Grisham were held Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home with the Rev. Jason Gunter officiating. Song selections were “Amazing Grace,” “Go Rest High On That Mountain” and “Scars In Heaven.” Michael Gunter, Bryce Grisham, Dustin Sheppard, Billy Thompson, Bradlee Thompson, Gaven Vaughan and Drew Vaughan served as pallbearers. Bobby Sheese served as honorary pallbearer. Burial was in Vanzant Cemetery under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mountain Grove. Memorial contributions may be made to Freeway Ministries, 1030 N. 24th Street, Omaha, Neb. 68108. Online condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.
