William Bess

ROLLA — William Elmo ‘Bill’ Bess, Rolla, Mo., passed away Friday, December 24, 2010, at the age of 90.  Bill was born in Flat River, Mo., to Pearl Bess.  He married Ina M. Parks and had just celebrated 69 years of marriage on December 21, 2010.  To this union they had three children.  Bill was preceded in death by his mother and his youngest daughter, Dianna Swallow.

 Bill served in the U.S. Army from 1940-1945 during WWII as a proud American Serviceman.  He then went to work for Western & Southern Life Insurance Company and retired after 39 years.  He was also a charter member of the Elks Club of Rolla, the American Legion and the Rolla VFW Post 2025. 

 Bill will be greatly missed by his surviving family; his wife, Ina Bess, Rolla, Mo., son, Gary Bess, Buffalo, Mo., daughter, Shelia Gay Ames and husband, Richard, Dallas, Tx., son-in-law, Keith Swallow, Rolla, Mo.; grandchildren, Nickie Jones, Damon Bess, Shannon (Swallow) Adams, Kim Anderson,and Jason Bess; 5 great-grandchildren; good friend, Bob Anderson, El Paso, Tx. and many other extended family and friends. 

 A funeral service will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Thursday, December 30, 2010, at the Null and Son Funeral Home in Rolla, Mo.  Visitation for family and friends will be from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at the Null and Son Funeral Home.  Interment will follow with full military honors at Ozark Hills Memorial Gardens in Rolla, Mo.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, Mo.  Online condolences may be offered at www.nullandsonfuneralhome.com.

All arrangements are under the direction of the Null and Son Funeral Home of Rolla.