Paul E. Pearson

Paul Eugene Pearson, age 90, of Bolivar, MO, formerly of Warrensburg, passed away Sunday afternoon, August 7, 2016, at the Missouri Veteran’s Home, in Mt. Vernon, Missouri. Funeral Services will be held 10:30 AM Friday, August 12, 2016 at the Butler Funeral, Bolivar, MO. Visitation will be held 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Friday at the funeral home. Burial will take place Friday after services in Bolivar, in Warrensburg Memorial Gardens, Warrensburg, MO Paul was born August 1st, 1926 near Hermitage, MO, the son of Sylvester (Vet) and Elsie Pearson. Paul graduated from Hermitage High School in 1945. Following his graduation Paul entered the U.S. Army in 1945 and served during World War II in the Medical Corps through 1946. On February 21st, 1945 Paul married his high school sweetheart Willa Mae Stevens at Ft. Scott, Kansas. To this union six children were born, five daughters and one son. After his war service Paul attended Central Missouri State College at Warrensburg for two years. His jobs included working for the Manor Bakery and Sealtest Dairy. He also purchased the K.C. Star Newspaper Route for Whiteman Air Force Base and rural Knob Noster, operating the route with his wife for seven years. Later, Paul became a self-employed Paint Contractor and worked at this profession until his retirement in 1988. He and his wife moved to Bolivar upon Willa Mae's retirement, renovating a home together. Paul enjoyed woodworking and craft projects, gifting his children, grandchildren and friends with cedar chests, quilt racks, magazine racks, footstools, game boards and wooden toys. He also enjoyed helping his family with remodeling projects. Paul and Willa Mae always loved hosting family dinners where everyone could enjoy cranking homemade ice cream and some of Willa Mae's special desserts. Prior to his death, Paul attended the Lighthouse Missionary Baptist Church at Bolivar, where he enjoyed services with family and friends. Paul was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-two years, Willa Mae, his parents, Sylvester and Elsie Pearson, three brothers; Lloyd, Floyd, and Vergil Pearson and two sisters; Irene Jordan and Velma Allan. He is survived by his five daughters and their husbands; Cheryle and Gary Crabtree, Peculiar; Paula Pursley, Bolivar; Debra and Robert Modlin, Clinton; Terie and Mike Whitney, Springfield; and Cindy and Avera Daniels, Columbia. He is also survived by a son, Steven Pearson of Bolivar, 12 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. In lieu of flowers the family suggest memorials be made to the Lighthouse Missionary Baptist Church or to the American Parkinson Association.

Paul E. Pearson

August 1, 1926 - August 7, 2016