Billy LaVern Amthor, the son of William W. and Cecil Laverne (Woolsey), was born June 7, 1931, in Watson, Missouri. He attended school in Rock Port, Missouri. On May 1, 1952, Bill entered the United States Army, serving his country as a Corporal during the Korean War, receiving his honorable discharge on April 14, 1954.
On December 23, 1951, Bill was united in marriage to Betty Louise Tudor at the Christian Parsonage in Tarkio, Missouri. They became the parents of three children, Gary Lee, Joyce Ann, and Johnny Ray. They later divorced. On November 8, 1980, Bill was united in marriage to Beverly Jean (Bratcher) Heard in Stanberry, Missouri. Bill became stepfather to twins, Perry Allen and Terry Wayne, Julie Ann, Roy Douglas, and Troy Thomas. They made their home in Rock Port, Missouri, until the present time.
Bill worked in construction before being employed by Atchison County CO-OP Gas and Fertilizer Plant for 11 years. He later drove a truck for Raymond Ottmann. In 1969, Bill owned and operated Amthor Skelly Gas Station, Rock Port until retiring in 1982.
Bill was a lifelong member of the Ralph Greer American Legion Post #49, Rock Port, for 61 years. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, camping, and dancing. He won the Twist Contest at the Old Brownville House, Brownville, Nebraska. He especially loved his cat, Izzy. Bill passed away Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at Pleasant View Nursing Home, Rock Port, at the age of 93.
Besides his parents, Bill was preceded in death by son, Johnny Amthor; siblings, Charles (Lori) Amthor, Richard (Alice) Amthor, James (Mary) Amthor, and Marjorie Amthor; and stepchildren, Perry, Terry, and Thomas Heard. Survivors include wife, Bev Amthor, Rock Port; children, Gary (Mona) Amthor, Arlington, Texas, and Joyce (Lee) Kingsolver, Red Oak, Iowa; stepchildren, Julie Kasselman and Roy Douglas Heard, both of Leavenworth, Kansas; grandchildren, Amy (George) Soltero, Little Elm, Texas, Jill Hollis, Arlington, Chad (Afton) Schomburg, Rock Port, Brian and Randy Kingsolver, Clayton (Ashley) Amthor, Rock Port, and Cory Amthor, Edgemont, South Dakota; step grandchildren, Cheyenne Schawang, Alex, Justin, Kelsi, and Justice Heard; numerous great-grandchildren; brother, Joe (Jane) Amthor, Atchison, Kansas, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service was held Friday, January 3, 2025, at Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port, conducted by Rev. Glenn Scott. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Ralph Greer American Legion Post #49 or Rock Port Food Pantry. Interment was at Hunter Cemetery, Rock Port. Military rites were under the auspices of Ralph Greer American Legion Post #49, Rock Port. Services were under the direction of Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port. Online condolences may be made at www.minterfuneralchapels.com.
