Billy Dale

Billy Joe Dale, 83, of Lee's Summit, Missouri, formerly of Pleasant Hill, Missouri was born, Monday, February 1, 1926 in rural Cass County, near East Lynne, the son of Luther Hollis and Mary Frances (Schindorff) Dale. He departed this life Saturday, April 11, 2009 at his home.

Bill attended the Germantown Country School through the 8th grade and graduated from the Pleasant Hill High School in 1944. The day after graduation he enlisted in the United States Army where he became a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne division. He was awarded the Purple Heart after being wounded on April 7, 1945.

In 1947, he met Carla Ann Smith at the Hooker Drug Store in Pleasant Hill where she was working as a soda jerk. They were married on April 12, 1949 in Lee's Summit.

Bill custom and dairy farmed for a number of years while working at the Lake City Arsenal. He also worked at Westinghouse and later for the Kansas City Terminal where he became a Locomotive Engineer. He retired from the Sante Fe Railroad in 1987.

He was baptized in the East Lynne Methodist Church as a young child, and has been a member of the Lee's Summit United Methodist Church since 1963. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #499, Higginsville Parent Association, a lifetime member of the United Transportation Union and a member of the Disabled American Veterans.

Bill loved the railroad. He enjoyed model railroading and collected railroad memorabilia all his life. He also loved to garden and work with the soil. Flowers in the yard were very important to him and every home they lived in he would make a new flower garden. When his ability to work in the flower gardens lessened, he grew them on the deck so he could watch his plants and flowers grow.

Besides his parents he was preceded in deathby one sister Adilee Gibson, one brother J. W. Dale, one niece Linda Gibson and one nephew Gary Gibson.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years Carla of the home; his 2 sons Steven C. Dale of Independence, Missouri, and Kim (and Cindy) Dale of Lee's Summit; his daughter Debra E. Dickerson of Lee's Summit; four grandchildren Justin (and Stephanie) Dickerson of Belton, Missouri, Katie Leigh Dickerson, Kara (and Eddie) Treadwell and Elliot Dale all of Lee's Summit; 2 great granddaughters Mariah and Savannah Dickerson; other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at the Stanley-Dickey Funeral Home. Interment was in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Reverend Lee Soxman of the Lee's Summit United Methodist Church officiated. Casket bearers were Richard Bond, Elliott Dale, Justin Dickerson, Dennis Fisher, Jim Piccinini, Bill Snow, & Eddie Treadwell. The Pleasant Hill VFW Post #3119 Honor Guard folded and presented the United States flag.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Higginsville Parent Association and may be sent in care of the funeral home.