Bates County News

Thursday, July 23, 2026

William “Bill” Jameson, 73 of Adrian

William “Bill” Jameson, 73 of Adrian, Missouri passed away July 14, 2026 at his home in Adrian.  A visitation will be held Saturday, August 1, 2026 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009).  Memorial services will follow at 2:00 pm Saturday, also at the funeral home.  Burial will take place in Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian, MO.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Abundant Life Church or to the Wounded Warrier Project.  Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

William Ray Jameson was born October 30, 1953 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of John Austin and Doris Croxton Jameson.  He grew up in the Kansas City area attending Rosedale Schools in Kansas City, Kansas and Hallmark School of Art.  He enlisted in the US Navy in 1971 and served as an E-5 on the USS Denver LPD9 during the Vietnam Conflict.  Bill was a helicopter engineer.  His ship was one of the 26 that was involved with the evacuation of the fall of Saigon and the fall of the South Vietnam to North Vietnam.  Bill was also the onboard engineer for the operation Freedom Flight and Frequent Wind.  They saved over 7,000 South Vietnamese when the take over happened.  Bill was on his final leave at home when he was injured and became disabled.  Following the accident, Bill lived with his parents until his father’s death in 2000, afterwards he came to stay with sister Andrea until his passing.  Together the two of them enjoyed gardening and were a support system for each other, especially during hard times.  That is also the time that Bill became known as “Uncle Billiam” to his nieces and nephews.  Family was important to Bill and he was always there for them, but he also enjoyed a good western movie!

 

Bill was married twice. First to Judy Holt and later to Penny Lynn Karry.  He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, Andrew and Ora Jameson and Herschel and Katie Croxton, sister-in-law Sue Jane Jameson, three brothers-in-law, Daniel Jenkins, Patrick Dobschia, and Jerry Gilliland, along with his nephew Josh Gilliland. 

 

He is survived by his two sons, Christopher L Jameson of Liberty, MO., and William Daniel Jameson-Fetters (Nickie) of Odessa, MO., three grandsons, Austin Jameson, Austin Jannsen, and Cooper Sanders, two granddaughters, Shelby Blassett (Cody), and Haley Spease (Aaron).  Bill is also survived by his siblings, Andrea Edmiston (Mitch) of Adrian, MO., Tim Jameson, Sr. of Excelsior Springs, MO., Sheila Jameson, of Norfork, AR., Jeanne Jenkins of St. Marys, GA., and Shawnita Beaty (Roger) of Belton, KY., two aunts, Jean Smith (Jerry) of Belton, KY, and Helen Bevins (Mike) of Greenville, KY., along with two nieces, eleven nephews, many cousins, and good friends.



Eileen Rigler, age 89 of Butler

Eileen Rigler, 89 of Butler, Missouri passed away Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at Medicalodges Butler. Cremation, with no public services schedul...