Obituary of Billy Portwood

Billy Gene Portwood Funeral services for Billy Gene Portwood of Foley, MO will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 12, 2004 at Carter Ricks Funeral Home near Winfield, MO with Rev. Steve Minkler, pastor of the New Galilee Christian Church, officiating. Following cremation, a graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, October 14, 2004 at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Mr. Portwood, 72, died Friday morning, October 8, 2004 at the home of his daughter, Pamela S. Charlton near Troy, MO. Born November 12, 1931 in Winfield, he was the son of the late John Rodger and Veva Melinda LaRue Portwood. He served his country in the United States Air Force, the United States Navy and again in the Air Force with a total service of 20 years with the military, retiring July 31, 1971. He was united in marriage on April 29, 1954 in Winfield to Mabel Lois McClay. Following his retirement from the Air Force, Mr. & Mrs. Portwood returned to Missouri where they made their home near Foley. He was employed for several years with the Lincoln County Public Water District. He was a charter member of the VFW Post #5517 in Winfield. He was also a member of the New Galilee Christian Church near Troy. Besides his parents, John and Veva Portwood, he was preceded in death by two brothers: Garvin Portwood and George Portwood; and his beloved wife of almost 48 years, Mabel Portwood, who died February 17, 2002. Survivors include three daughters: Anita L. Kitson and her fianc�, Terry Harris, of Troy, Sherrill Tillman and her husband, USN Captain Harry Tillman of Chesapeake, VA, and Pamela S. Charlton and her husband, Donald Charlton, Jr. of Troy; and five grandchildren: Jason Kitson and his wife, Michelle, Lance Corporal Christopher Tillman, USMC, Kimberly Tillman, Matthew Tillman and Dakotah Charlton. He also leaves five brothers: Lawrence Portwood of Troy, Carl Portwood of Bowling Green, MO, Harry Portwood and his wife, Betty, of Winfield, Larry Portwood and his wife, Carole, of Winfield, and Dennis Portwood and his wife, Gail, of Moscow Mills, MO; three sisters: Norma Fleming and her husband, Richard, of Clearwater, FL, his twin, Betty June Tennison of St. Louis, and Margaret Kielty of St. Charles, MO; his sister-in-law, Loretta Portwood of Troy, his brother-in-law, Henry McClay and his wife, Scottie, of Winfield, several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Monday, October 11, 2004 at Carter Ricks Funeral Home near Winfield. Memorials may be made to the Leukemia Society in care of Carter Ricks Funeral Home, 3838 East Highway 47, P.O. Box 253, Winfield, MO 63389.