John William Hancock

JOHN 'JOHNNY' WILLIAM HANCOCK Mr. John 'Johnny' William Hancock, age 79 of Bolivar, passed away Friday, May 9, 2008 at Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar. Johnny was born on September 24, 1928 in Bolivar, MO the son of Prentice Rector Hancock and Nettie (Jones) Hancock. Growing up he attended Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. He graduated from Bolivar High School in 1947. On December 5, 1950, John married Mae Sue Sterling of Bolivar. They were married in Harrison, Arkansas. To this union was born three sons, Ronnie, Steve, and Dennis. In 1951, He joined the army and served in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. He was a member of the Howard S. Keeling American Legion Post No. 138 in Bolivar. After serving in the army, he worked on a fruit ranch in California with his older brother Glen. In 1956 he moved to Kansas City, Missouri and worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. He transferred in 1959 with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Springfield, MO. He moved his family to Bolivar, MO and retired in 1987 after 31 years. After retirement he enjoyed raising his cattle on the farm that he had lived on for 50 years. And also, he grew crops and planted many gardens. He loved spending time with his family and visiting his many neighbors. Some of the special things he liked to do with his family was playing pool, bingo and cards. He always thought how he could help his neighbor whether he was visiting them in the hospital or helping round up cattle that had gotten out. He loved going to auctions to find a bargain or two. He collected elephants in many shapes and sizes. He always greeted everyone he met with a smile and a kind word. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed telling jokes. John's kind heart and generous nature will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Ronnie, one brother Glen and two sisters, Maxine and Madge. Surviving is his wife of 57 years, Mae Sue of the Home, two sons, Steve Hancock and wife Shelley, Dennis Hancock and wife Carol, of Bolivar, one grandson, Shannon Hancock and wife Janieca, three granddaughters, Amanda, Ashlee, and Veronica; one great grandson, John Wayne (J.W.), and one great granddaughter, Emma all of Bolivar. One brother, P. R. Hancock and wife Virginia of Cleveland, MO. and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Funeral Services will be at 1:30 PM Tuesday, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with Elder Hugh Butrick officiating. Musical selections will be " I Know Who Holds Tomorrow", "One Day At A Time", and "The River" Burial in the Greenwood Cemetery under the direction of the Butler Funeral Home of Bolivar. Casketbearers will be Prentice Hancock, Cliff King, Dee Evans, Loren Clemmons, Jeremy Patterson and Ian Cloyd. Honorary Casketbearers will be Bob Wooten, Danny Wolf, Bob Adams, Carl Richard Hancock, Bob Wheelbarger, Bob Johnson, Bob Miller, Norman Fallesen, Mike Francka, and Ronnie Bruce. Full Military Honors will be conducted at the Cemetery by the AMVETS Post # 114 of Flemington, MO. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association. Friends may sign the guest book or send private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

John William Hancock

September 24, 1928 - May 9, 2008