Obituary of William Richardson Palmer

William R. “Rich” Palmer Funeral Services for William Richardson “Rich” Palmer of Old Monroe, MO will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 15, 2024 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Winfield, MO. Deacon Rich Vehige will officiate, assisted by Jason Mirikitani, Chaplain of Gentiva Hospice. Graveside service and burial with Military Honors will be in Highland Prairie Cemetery near Old Monroe. Serving as pallbearers will be Dave Berneking, Paul Rogliardi, Boden Palmer, Kell Berneking, Palmer Berneking and Dennis Heitman. Mr. Palmer, 81, passed away Tuesday morning, July 9, 2024 at his home near Old Monroe. Born August 21, 1942 on the family dairy farm west of Old Monroe, MO, he was the son of Clarence Brown and Mickey M. Richardson Palmer. A lifelong resident of the Old Monroe community, Rich was a 1960 graduate of Buchanan High School in Troy, MO. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Missouri, Rolla in 1965. Returning to the Old Monroe community, he married Bonnie Carol Bryant on April 23, 1965 in Troy, MO. This union was blessed with three children, Greg, Paula and Lynn. Rich served his country in the U.S. Army from February 9, 1965 until he was honorably discharged on February 4, 1967. He served with the 84th Engineers Battalion, Company B in Vietnam. Upon his return he served as the Commander of the 1331 Combat Engineers while in the Reserves. He was a farmer at heart and worked the family dairy and grain farm for several decades. Rich was very active in Lincoln County in the early years serving on many board and organizations. He always tried to better the community and prepare it for the future. Rich became extremely active and passionate about the Missouri Dairy Association, serving as President from 1989 -2000, leading him to numerous other boards and committees dealing with dairy farming and agriculture. He was a member and former President of the Mid America Dairymen; and he served as member and Past-President of the Lincoln County Fair Board. He was a lifelong member of the Highland Prairie Union Church near Old Monroe. He and his father developed and operated the Blackhawk Valley Gun Club on a portion of the farm. Rich had a passion for flying. He was a longtime pilot and had his own plane which he flew from a grass landing strip (located literally outside the back door of his home). He took his last plane ride just a few days before his death. The loves of his life were Bonnie, his children and grandchildren. He attended every sporting event or function they were involved in, as long as he was able. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Mickey Palmer; and his beloved wife of 55 years, Bonnie Palmer, who died October 16, 2020. Survivors include their son: Greg Palmer and his wife, Michelle, of Old Monroe; two daughters: Paula Berneking and her husband, David, of Old Monroe, and Lynn Rogliardi and her husband, Paul, of Moscow Mills, MO; eight grandchildren: Lainey Palmer, Boden Palmer, Palmer, Kell and Bret Berneking, Allison, Avery and Brett Rogliardi; three great-grandchildren: Jayce, Ava, and Lilly. Rich also leaves four sisters: Peggy Johnson of Old Monroe; Linda Robb of Columbia, MO; Carol Valine and her husband, Del, of Moscow Mills; and Gail Palmer-House and her husband, Jim, of Memphis, TN; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Visitation will be held from 3:00 –7:00 p.m. Sunday, July 14, 2024 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Winfield. Memorials may be made to the Central Missouri Honor Flight or The Wounded Warriors Project in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 3838 East Highway 47, P.O. Box 253, Winfield, MO 63389. Online condolences may be made at www.carterricksfuneralhome.com.