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Billy Joe Rhodes of Moscow Mills, MO passed away on April 16, 2024 after a brief illness.
Bill was born on March 3. 1950 to Vernon and Adelaide (Hakenwerth) Rhodes.
Bill married Patricia (Loeffler) Rhodes on January 20, 1973. They enjoyed 51 years of marriage. He was a devoted husband and in recent years when asked his opinion on anything, his response would often be “whatever Pat wants.”
He grew up in Dardenne Prairie when it was still a farm community. He was a self proclaimed “farm boy” and loved all outdoor activities. He was an avid gardener. Every year he swore that he was going to scale back and not plant so much, but anyone who knew him never believed it. He took great joy in raising the largest tomatoes or in bumper crops of potatoes.
Bill worked for the City of Wentzville for 39 years. He had a vast knowledge of all the water lines mapped in his head. As Wentzville grew, if he was asked where a store or business in Wentzville was, he would often tell you based on the valves, meters, or water breaks he had installed or fixed. Bill loved shooting sports. He would hunt anything that crossed his path. Squirrels, racoons, deer, turkey, rabbits, mushrooms or the pesky groundhog threatening his garden. In the last several years his Sunday afternoon ritual was to participate in the Sunday meat shoot. He was a member of the Old Monroe Gun Club.
He is survived by his four daughters, Christy (Mike) Lanham of St. Paul, MO, Bonnie (Chris) Graeler of Moscow Mills, MO, Mindy (Ben) Wortmann of Moscow Mills, MO, Megan (Shawn) Nichoalds of Foristell, MO; two sons, Billy Rhodes of Foristell, MO, John (Sarah) Rhodes of Villa Ridge, MO; seven sisters, Carol (Lenny) Kohler of O' Fallon, MO, Vickie (Danny) Zerr of Lake St. Louis, MO, Janie (Rick) Freise of Wentzville, MO, Connie (Mike) Boylan of Warrenton, MO, Dianne (Steve) Perotti of Shelbina, MO, Sally (Curt) Garrett of Wright City, MO, Susie (Scott) Cary of Warrenton, MO; brother, Jim (Karen) Rhodes of Wentzville, MO; twelve grandchildren, Max, Caroline, Colton Lanham, Jackson, Jenna, Ryan Graeler, Henry, Oliver, Wyatt Wortmann, Nolan, Savannah Nichoalds, Rhett McManus; and patiently awaiting granddaughter, Haddie Rhodes; many cousins, in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Vernon Rhodes, mother, Adelaide Rhodes (nee: Hakenewerth), stillborn daughter, Rebecca Rhodes, sister, Mary Lou Harmon.
Bill was loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
For those that would like to be in procession to the church on Friday, April 19, 2024, please, arrive at Pitman Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m.
Memorials: Masses, St. Vincent DePaul or Support Leukemia Research givenow.lls.org
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Billy J. Rhodes, please visit our floral store.