William “Bill” Moreland of Wesco, MO was born on Monday, August 12, 1935 in Vichy, MO to William “Elmer” Moreland and Gladys (Cook) Moreland. He passed away on Friday, November 27, 2020 at his home at the age of 85 years, 3 months and 15 days.
Bill graduated from St. James High School in 1954. He married the love of his life, Iris Fairy Earney, in St. James, MO on Friday, September 13, 1957 and to this union 2 children were born. He spent 9 years in the National Guard where he constructed floatable bridges, ending up a Sergeant with an E5 ranking. He worked for Dr. Stricker where he gained his knowledge and experience running heavy equipment and then worked for Ray Boston Construction for 14 years. He moved on to work for McCarthy Brothers Construction Company for many years until retirement where he ran everything but a crane. He was a member of Local #513 Operator Engineers Union.
As a youngster, Bill loved to coon hunt. He won numerous trophies and was a member of a coon hunting club. During his life his hobbies included hunting, boating, fishing, gigging, and welding. However, Bill's passion in life was running heavy equipment. He was an outstanding mechanic and could fix or weld anything. People were always stopping by his garage when they had something needing to be checked on and repaired. He had a servant's heart and loved to help others. He would dig ponds, lakes, and foundations for people. He also cut grass and kept Wesco looking like a park. He even took people to work during bad weather since he could manage "the Wesco Hill." His friends and family knew Bill as a large man with a large heart. He was a gentle giant among them, and he will be greatly missed by all those that knew him.
He was preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Gladys Moreland; parents-in-law Marion "Bill" and Minnie Lee (Gibbs) Earney; brothers Kenneth (Rachel) Moreland and Robert Moreland; niece Sherri Whitaker and Billy Dan Earney.
He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years Iris Moreland of Wesco, MO; children Vickie (Leonard) Munton of Steelville, MO and Patrick (Michelle) Moreland of Wesco, MO; grandchildren Mark (Nicole) Beezley of Steelville, MO, Kimberlee (James) Cook of Sullivan, MO and Austin Moreland of Wesco, MO; great grandchildren Zoey Cook and Lydia Cook of Sullivan, MO; siblings Bernice (Wally) Jones of Rolla, MO, Wayne (Joy) Moreland of Savage, MN, James (Helen) Moreland of Vienna, MO, Margaret Feeler-Ridenhour and Janet (Robert) Roach both of Rolla, MO and Donald (Stephanie) Moreland of Tipp City, OH; brother-in-law Danny (Kathy) Earney of Steelville, MO; sister-in-law Glenda (Jack) Moreland Davis of Haughton, LA; family member Tom Beezley of Steelville, MO; nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.
Visitation was from 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM on Thursday, December 3, 2020 at Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, MO. Funeral Service immediately followed with Rev. Don Wissmann officiating. The family chose cremation as his final disposition. Memorials may be given to Wesco Cemetery or Preferred Hospice of Rolla, MO.
All arrangements under the care of Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, MO.
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