William L. "Bill" Hill, 87, of Mexico, passed away on Saturday, January 29, 2023, at Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital in Columbia.

Funeral Services will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 4, at Arnold Funeral Home with Rev. Glenn Forman officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Elmwood Cemetery.

Visitation is from 6-8 p.m. on Friday evening at the funeral home.

Bill was born on October 16, 1935, at the family home in Randolph County, the son of Wiley and Dorthy (Coyle) Hill. On December 1, 1960, in Mexico, he married Betty Jo Kysar. She passed away on August 1, 2009.

Mr. Hill was a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving in Vietnam and Korea. He was an Avionics Technician and worked on B52 bombers. Bill flew 18 missions and retired from the military as an E-6 Staff Sergeant. Following his military service, Bill worked for Kaisers/National Refractories, retiring in 1997.

Bill was a 52 year member of the VFW Post 3772. He had also been a member of the American Legion. Mr. Hill loved yardwork. He would mow several days a week and had well-manicured lawns and gardens. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Survivors include his children, Crystal Eakins of Mexico, Jim (Ronda) Means of Mexico, Virginia Rivers of Mexico, Betty Welschmeyer of Greer, South Carolina, and Billie Gering of Mexico; one son-in-law, Michael Wallerstein of Columbia; one daughter-in-law, Linda Welschmeyer of Martinsburg; 17 grandchildren, Kyle (Amanda) Eakins, Chad Eakins, Steven Wallerstein, David Wallerstein, Jamie (Josh) Crawford, Ronica Means, Cody Means, Vernon Welschmeyer, Mary Allen, Teresa Garbez, Sharon Carroll, Victoria (Dan) Arnold, Malissa Nichols, Clarissa (John Parker) Wilmeth, Sarah (Robert) Hohenfeldt, Jon Gering and George Gering; 23 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Dorman Hill of Indiana; and one sister, Lyda Willis of Laddonia.

In addition to his wife, Betty Jo Hill, Bill was preceded in death by three children, Linda Wallerstein, Leslie Dale Hill and Ronnie Welschmeyer; four siblings, Jay Hill, Vena Tuley, Chester Hill and Robert Hill.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Council of the Blind or the American Cancer Society. They may be sent in care of Arnold Funeral Home, 425 S. Jefferson Street, Mexico, MO 65265.