Billy McWilliams

Billy Lindsey McWilliams, 83, was born Oct. 18, 1938 and hit the road to his final destination on Jan. 16, 2022. He was born to Nolen “Poodle” McWilliams and Lucille Lindsey McWilliams. Bill was happily married to Jacqueline, his partner in life for almost 40 years, at the time of his passing. He is survived by Jacquie of the home; his children Denny and Angie McWilliams, Lindsey and Lee Covington, Duke and Gracie Grimes; grandchildren Carrie and James Willmore, Adam and Theresa Covington, Ryan Covington, Aaron Covington, Ashley and Alex Crites; and great-grandchildren Kassidee and Kaela Shane.

Billy was born near Filley and spent the majority of his life in Cedar County. He graduated from El Dorado Springs High School in 1956. After high school he went to work for a short time for Boeing Aircraft Plant in Wichita, KS. He then returned home and went to work at Dever’s Quarry just north of El Dorado Springs. Shortly afterward he bought his own dozer and was self-employed 14 years, until early 1975.

In 1975 Bill went to work as a contractor for Sac Osage Electric, where his dad had just retired from. It was during this time that he was involved in the life-changing electrical accident. After recovering, he was determined to continue to live his life to the fullest, which he did. He trained as a Surveying Engineer and was employed by Sac Osage Electric from 1975 until his retirement in 2000. He developed many good, lasting relationships with his co-workers at Sac Osage and continued those relationships throughout his lifetime.

How do you sum up a life so full? Not in just a few words. He was NOT a man of few words….His dad wanted a boy named Billy, and the world was blessed with him for 83 years. Growing up and growing older, he was known as son, Billy, Bill, Billy Mac, Sweet William, William, Dad and Papa. He never met a stranger. He could talk on the phone for half an hour, hang up and tell you “It was so and so… they had the wrong number!” He was always humming a tune, had a smile on his face, and that deep laugh always ready to spill out. The joy of the Lord was his strength.

He met the love of his life Jacquie while she was nursing at Cox Hospital in Springfield. After their first introduction, she told her co-workers, “Hands off, he’s all mine!” They were inseparable from each other from that moment on, and Jacquie has been a devoted wife and partner to him ever since.

He was a man of many passions. His first passion in life was baseball, and he was crazy about it from the time he could hold a ball in his hands. He was a talented 1st baseman and pitcher- in high school and American Legion, under the coaching of his dad. After high school he was drafted into the minor leagues for the White Sox for one year. This was an early highlight of his life. He would joke and say, “I could have probably made the major leagues if I could have just run faster!” He enjoyed several years of playing men’s fast-pitch softball, until his accident in 1975.

In high school he was also a talented basketball player and saxophone player. In fact, his senior year he decided to teach himself to play the sax and became a recognized player. He was good at saving money. When he turned 16 he paid cash for his first car from saving his weekly soda money from the Saturday Matinee. We’re not sure how long he had saved his soda money, but it was a surprise to his folks!

His second passion in life was motorcycles. He rode many miles with his biker buddies throughout the years. He and Jacquie enjoyed many years of traveling and camping, especially after his retirement; traveling coast to coast as well as several provinces of Canada. A lot of those trips were on the bike. He loved camping in the mountains and exploring God’s beautiful creation. Of course, he met and made lifelong friends during those years. Going on a trip with him was always so enjoyable because he was so knowledgeable about American History, especially Native American History. He was a great navigator, and hitting the road with him was always an adventure.

As a younger man he was passionate about hunting; quail, pheasant, and coyote were his favorites. He enjoyed his bird and running dogs and he shared that love with his dad, his son, Denny, and his friends. Many summer nights were spent sitting outside listening to the dogs run. A lot of stories have been told around the table about those days! He was an excellent shot and enjoyed target shooting later in life with his grandsons. He was a proud Life Member of the NRA and made no apologies on where he stood on that subject.

Bill was passionate about reading and was always reading about something interesting that he could share a story about. He had an extensive library full of Louie Lamour, the Sacketts, and many other classics. He was very knowledgeable about Cedar County history and his family genealogy. He was passionate about his love of country and family and believed in our freedoms. He served in the National Guards for many years as a young man.

He loved his family and was a devoted son and he made his parents very proud. As an only child, he was raised very close to his cousins and considered them as siblings. He was a devoted dad, husband and papa. He was passionate about his love for God, his unwavering faith in Jesus Christ and his love of God’s Word. Church attendance was always important to him and he spent many years at Park Street Christian Church and later years at Community Church in El Dorado Springs.

He experienced difficult times, painful times, but the word “handicap” was never spoken in our home. He was an overcomer and never dwelled on his losses; he always trusted God. He inspired many people throughout his lifetime to never give up, never give in. He knew Jesus, and he was ready to go home when God made the Call.

Billy Mac walked through those pearly gates a whole man. No limitations! And into the loving arms of his Savior, surrounded by the cheers of his loved ones on the other side, waiting for him. He will be greatly missed by those of us left behind.

Funeral services for Billy McWilliams were held on Saturday, January 22, 2022 and burial followed in Mound Cemetery under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be left at www.blandhackleman.com.