Guy Robinson, age 86, of Butler, Missouri, passed away peacefully at Bates County Memorial Hospital in the early morning hours of January 26, 2026, following a recent leukemia diagnosis on January 12, 2026. A visitation will be held from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm Friday, February 6, 2026 at Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). Memorial services will follow at 4:00 pm Friday, February 6, 2026, also at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Butler Senior Center or the Community Food Pantry of Butler. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.
Guy Pententler Robinson was born on March 6, 1939, to
Simpson Herbert Robinson and Ruby (Pententler) Robinson in their family home
just south of Butler in Bates County, Missouri. He grew up learning the value
of hard work while helping his father on the family farm—lessons that would
shape the rest of his life.
Guy attended Star School, a small country school south of
Butler, from kindergarten through eighth grade, and later graduated from Butler
High School. While there, he played football and earned the nickname “Beep
Beep,” a nod to both his fast driving—and parking—of his beloved 1955 Ford, and
to the Road Runner cartoon character: he was there one moment and gone the next
“Beep Beep”.
On May 17, 1958, while still in high school, Guy married the
love of his life, Donna Lee Anderson. Together, they raised three children:
Diane, Dana, and Debra. Throughout his working years, Guy held numerous labor
and trade positions across Bates County and the Kansas City area, including
with Mathew Ferguson, Fisher Body Chevrolet, Ross Daniels Plumbing, Bill
Fischer Furnace Heating & Cooling, Butler Manufacturing, Leeds Chevrolet,
Sears Roebuck, Okay Tire, and Joe Wicks, among others. His strong work ethic,
mechanical skill, and readiness to help others were hallmarks of who he was.
In the mid-1960s, Guy founded Robinson Plumbing, a business
that proudly served Butler and surrounding communities for decades. His work
contributed to many local landmarks, including plumbing for the Inn Hotel on
Ohio and Delaware streets, helping build and major plumbing and HVAC work at
the Assembly of God Church on South Main. He also helped build countless homes
throughout Bates County, Appleton City, and Clinton, Missouri—leaving a quiet
but lasting imprint across the region.
Guy was widely recognized for his black 1968 GMC truck with
a white camper, a familiar sight around Butler for more than 50 years. In May
1969, Guy and Donna purchased the white two-story home with the wraparound
porch on the corner of Adams and Fulton Streets in Butler. They lovingly
renovated it while raising their young family. Three years later, they added an
office and oversized garage—Guy’s pride and joy—and the property remained his
home for the rest of his life.
By the mid-1970s, Guy expanded his business to include
heating and cooling services, further establishing Robinson Plumbing, Heating
and Cooling as a trusted local name. Though he officially retired around 2015,
longtime customers continued to reach out, valuing his honesty, reliability,
and genuine care.
Guy and Donna shared a deep love of travel, exploring the
United States and Canada in several conversion vans over the years. Those road
trips created countless cherished memories that Guy treasured long after the
journeys ended.
Guy experienced profound heartbreak with the loss of his
beloved wife, Donna, on September 19, 2014. In his later years, he also battled
diabetes and, most recently, leukemia. Yet he continued to meet life with
resilience, humor, and the steady presence for which he was known.
Guy will be remembered for his tireless work ethic, quick
humor, mechanical know-how, devotion to his family, and the many ways he served
his community. Guy was a lifetime member of the Butler Elks Lodge and played a
role in building the Elks Lodge and generously donating both his time and
supplies to the project.
Guy is survived by his children: Diane Robinson and Dana
Robinson, both of Butler, Missouri, and Debra Davis of Wickenburg, Arizona;
grandchildren Jeremy Oates of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; Caleb Oates (wife,
Sherri) of Adrian, Missouri; Brooke Thompson of Osage Beach, Missouri; Spencer
Davis and Dexter Davis of Wickenburg, Arizona; and great-grandchildren Romey,
Jonathan, Letha, and Blessing Thompson of Osage Beach; Kale and Huntley Oates
of Adrian; and Silas Davis of Wickenburg, Arizona; sister-in-law, Joyce Botkin
of Butler, Missouri; sister-in-law, Tressie Robinson of Independence Missouri,
and several nieces, nephews, and other family members.
Guy was preceded in death by his parents; all his siblings,
Lee Robinson, Martha Beatty, and Charles Robinson; his granddaughter, Bailey
Robinson (who passed at birth); his nephew, Gilbert Beatty; his niece Kathy
Christ; his nephew Robert Christopher and his beloved wife, Donna Robinson.
Guy’s legacy of craftsmanship, integrity, devotion, and love
will live on through all who knew and loved him. He will be deeply missed and
lovingly remembered always.
