Eugene "Gene" Albert Hutcheson

After a long well lived and purposeful life, Eugene (Gene) Hutcheson, passed away September 26, 2018, in Bolivar, Missouri. He spent his entire life in Bolivar, Missouri, except for three and a half years he spent in the Army Airforce, during World War II. He was born and lived with his parents Albert and Nellie (Gallivan) Hutcheson. He graduated from Bolivar High School, and Southwest Baptist College, where he enjoyed playing first Chair Trombone in the band. After retiring from service, Gene married Billie Hendrickson who was the love of his life. They were married at Horton’s Wedding Inn, in Bolivar, Missouri, by Knox Lambert, and celebrated Sixty-seven years together. They have two children, Jim Hutcheson and Jill Carter, who gave them three grandchildren; Jimmy Hutcheson, Nicole Pugh and Cole Carter. Nicole has given them two great-grandchildren; Georgia Kate and William. Gene was also proud of his in-laws; Jeanette Hutcheson, Tom Carter, Elizabeth Hutcheson, Jason Pugh and Cole Carter’s bride to be, Megan Garrad. Gene enjoyed his family to the fullest. He was able to attend all their graduations, weddings and was looking forward to Cole’s upcoming wedding. He took great pride in every member of his family and felt that it was a great blessing to have had such a long, and enjoyable life with each one. During World War II, Gene was in Burma, serving as a radio operator, and on call the night the atomic bomb was dropped on Japan. He so enjoyed the “Ozark Honor Flight” tour of Washington, D.C., with Jill, and said that it was a “special day, all day”. Gene owned and operated Hutcheson Real Estate for thirty-eight years, and managed cattle on their farms. He was very proud of the Bolivar community and its progress. He was a long-time member of Kiwanis and served on the Industrial Development Board. He served on the Citizens Memorial Hospital Foundation Board for Twenty-Five years and received the Donald J Babb Award in recognition of his service. He was a supporter of Southwest Baptist University where he served as a trustee for sixteen years and on a committee that raised money to buy Shoffner land, which is now the main SBU campus. He received an honoree doctorate degree from SBU in 2003. Gene professed faith in God at age twelve and joined Mt. Olive Baptist Church. After moving into town, his family joined First Baptist Church Bolivar where Gene remained a member for seventy years. During this time, he served as a deacon for may years and as a past trustee. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, in laws, Will and Oma Hendrickson, two sisters, Lois Hoppers and husband Dick, and Eva Peterson and husband Victor, one brother in law, Jim Burckeholder, and sister in law, Bess Holt and husband Bill, brother in law Bert Hendrickson, and wife Myrtle. Gene is survived by his wife Billie, two children, Jim Hutcheson and wife Jeanette, Jill Carter and husband Tom, three grandchildren, Jimmy Hutcheson and wife Elizabeth, Nicole Pugh and husband Jason, and Cole Carter and fiancée Megan Garrad, two great-grandchildren, Gerogia Kate Pugh and William Pugh, and one sister, Ann Schaub and husband John. In addition, he is survived by many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends, of which each have had a very important role in his life. Billie, Jim and Jeanette, Jill and Tom and families wish to thank the skilled and attentive staff and care takers at Parkview, for the excellent care they gave us. A memorial fund has been set up in Gene’s name, at CMH School of Nursing Scholarship, and at SBU, Gene and Billie Hutcheson Scholarship. Visitation for Gene will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 29, 2018, with services to follow at 11:00, Butler Funeral Home, Bolivar, Missouri. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery,

Eugene "Gene" Albert Hutcheson

January 4, 1921 - September 26, 2018