Ed Willard Kennedy

On the afternoon of January 23, 2014, Ed passed away after a long battle with cancer at his home in Bolivar with family by his side. He was 82 years old. Edsel “Ed” Willard Kennedy was born in Quincy, Mo. on March 2, 1931 to Lawrence and Cecil (Dietz) Kennedy, the third of nine children. Ed enlisted in the United States Air Force in January 1952, and retired honorably in September 1972. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Longevity Service Award with four Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Medal with Bronze Service Star, Vietnam Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, United Nations Korea Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Service Medal. On April 20, 1957, Ed was united in marriage to Charlene Parker in Kansas City, Mo. To this union were born three children: Kay, Gary, and Jim. After Ed retired from the USAF, he delivered rural mail for the United States Postal Service out of the Flemington, Mo. post office. He retired after 17 years to his farm in Humansville, Mo. Ed enjoyed many of the finer things in life, including woodworking, gardening, sitting down for a game of checkers, mowing his yard, watching the Cardinals play ball, and he even tried his hand at beekeeping. If there is one thing that consistently had Ed’s attention, it was the price of gasoline. Instead of buying what a telemarketer was selling, he would ask what the price of gas was where they lived. Ed was preceded in death by his parents Lawrence and Cecil Kennedy, and three brothers: Sidney, Verl, and Elvin. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Charlene Kennedy of Bolivar, Mo. and his three children: Kay Rice and her husband Marlin of Ames, Iowa; Gary Kennedy of Atlanta, Ga; and Jim Kennedy and his wife Robin of Bolivar, Mo., and five siblings: Bob Kennedy and his wife Gwen of Wheatland, Mo.; Zada Maupin and her husband Bill of Independence, Mo.; Sue Sherman and her husband Larry of Wheatland, Mo.; Lee Kennedy and his wife Carol of Avery, Mo.; Judy McDaniel and her husband Chester of Kansas City, Mo. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Cody Rice and his wife Anna of Peoria, Ill.; Kendra Verash and her husband Kyle of Georgetown, Texas; William Kennedy of Springfield, Mo.; Jeanna Kennedy Gaik and her husband Jon of St. Louis, Mo.; Sarah Basnight of Pensacola, Fla.; Jarred Kennedy of Springfield, Mo.; and Stephanie Wright and her husband Jacob of Waxahachie, Texas; and four great-grandchildren: Mauren Rice and Emrik Rice of Peoria, Ill.; Connor Kennedy of San Antonio, Texas; and Tristin Wright of Waxahachie, Texas. Ed will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Services will be held Sunday, January 26, 2014, 2:00 p.m. at the Rondo Baptist Church, Hwy 83 and East 340th Rd, Rondo, Mo. under the care and direction of Butler Funeral Home. Family suggests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the 5th District Honor Guard, at 703 E. Main Street, Humansville, Mo. 65674. PDF Printable Version

Ed Willard Kennedy

March 2, 1931 - January 23, 2014