Roy Allen Neely

Roy Allen Neely of Bolivar, Missouri passed away on Sunday, November 16, 2008 at 3:20 A.M. his home after a brave battle with cancer. He was 82 years, 4 months, and 15 days of age. He was born July 1, 1926 in Slaton, Texas to Jesse Burton (J.B.) Neely and Cecil Elzora (Roden) Neely. The youngest of three, Roy worked on the family farm until he entered the U. S. Marine Corp in 1944. He was injured on Okinawa, Japan and received the Purple Heart. Upon his return home, he married Laverne (Williams) on October 5, 1947 and the couple moved to Kansas City in 1950 so Roy could attend drafting school. He began work as a draftsman in 1951, ending up as Engineering/Sales Service Supervisor at Armco Steel/Sheffield, Kansas City Works. He was a loving father for his two children, Chuck and Linda and most of his time was devoted to his family and to his own projects--he added a bedroom and remodeled the attic and basement of the family home, and he and Laverne enjoyed collecting and restoring antique furniture. The year of his retirement, 1982, the family grew by two more children, Diana & Jerry, and Roy and Laverne returned to their small town roots, settling in Bolivar. There, he joined the local Disabled American Veterans organization and spent plenty of time with his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Ella Laverne Neely on December 15, 2005. His parents, sister Vonnie and brother Lee. He is survived by his son; Chuck Neely and his wife Diana of Olathe, Kansas and a daughter; Linda Woodward and her husband Jerry of Overland Park, Kansas, his granddaughter Afton Woodward and grandson Brian Neely; and his niece Dorothy, and two nephews, Bill and David. Funeral services will be held at 10:00am, Thursday, November 20, 2008 at the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar, Missouri with Chaplain James Friend officiating. AMVETS Post #114 of Flemington, Missouri will provide the military Honors at the gravesite. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Bolivar, Missouri. Casketbearers will be Bill Brown, Hank Adler, Larry Martin, Jack Scott, Jeff Hogue and Charles Stanek. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 pm Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Disabled American Veterans. Friends and family may sign the guest book or send private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

Roy Allen Neely

July 1, 1926 - November 16, 2008