Richard Ewing Halliburton, son of the late Ewing and Maude (Green) Halliburton, was born March 22, 1938, in Wright County and departed this life on Feb. 13, 2021, at Cox Hospital in Springfield, at the age of 82 years, 10 months and 22 days. Richard grew up on a farm in Fowler, with his parents and five siblings. He helped with the farming and raising dairy cows and poultry. Richard enjoyed hunting and horseback riding as a youth. He graduated from Mountain Grove High School in 1956. Richard attended Missouri School of Mines in Rolla for a semester. He later met and married Jean Spinabella and this union formed a family of four children, Richard Kent Halliburton, Kris Halliburton, Kara Spinabella and Kery Spinabella. After his divorce, he moved to Troy and worked for Cuivre River Electric Cooperative. Later he moved to Wentzville.
Richard married Patricia Johnson on May 22, 1982, gaining another daughter, Cindy. Later, Richard and Pat moved to Jonesboro, Ark., where they opened a franchise with Curtis Mathis. They worked this business together from 1985-1992. During this time, he was diagnosed with cancer, received treatment, and was cured, but he had to go on disability thereafter. Richard and Pat moved to Washington, Iowa, in 1997, awaiting the arrival of a grandbaby. They remained there until Pat’s retirement in 2010. They returned to Springfield to enjoy their retirement years in which they played golf, went fishing, watched sports and visited with friends and family. Richard also enjoyed cooking, raising a garden, baking and selling baked goods at local farmers markets. Richard and Pat were members of Schweitzer United Methodist Church in Springfield until failed health prevented them from attending. He missed his church contact, but was very grateful for their Stephen Ministries and their help in the loss of his son, Kent, and later his wife, Pat. He greatly appreciated all the help and services his Stephen Minister, George Blowers, provided for him. Richard was very thankful for the caring neighborhood he lived in and their support kindness shown to him.
Besides his parents, Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Halliburton; his oldest son, Richard Kent Halliburton; and all of his siblings, an infant sister, Betty Lou Halliburton, Floyd Leland Halliburton, Fern Elliott, Atha Welch, Wilma Riley and Ineta Baker. He is survived by two daughters, Kris Halliburton, of Marshfield, and Kara Spinabella, of Springfield; step-daughter, Cindy Hinckley, of Washington, Iowa; and son, Kery Spinabella, of Ozark; 13 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends who will dearly miss him. Visitation for Richard Halliburton was held Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, from 1-2 p.m. at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home. Funeral services followed the visitation at 2 p.m., also at the funeral home, with Pastor Jim Mason officiating. Song selections were “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art.” Landon Hinckley, Huel Halliburton, George Blowers, Keith Halliburton, Jimmy Barker, Jeremy Halliburton, Ron Sapp, Russell Welch, Jim Hinckley and Ron Tuttle served as pallbearers. Burial was in Stubbs Cemetery under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mountain Grove. Memorial contributions may be made to Stubbs Cemetery in care of the funeral home. Online condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.
