In Remembrance Of
Bill Peek
Billy C. Peek was born in Marshall, North Carolina, on January 26, 1938, to Lockie and Ervin Peek. He passed away peacefully on January 21, 2023.
Surviving are his wife, Nancy, who shared 43 wonderful years with him; his daughter, Jennifer Davenport (Corey), Clinton, MO; grandchildren, Montana, Hayden, Addisyn, and Maci; and great-grandchildren Bentley Clay and Tinleigh Jean. He was the youngest of ten children; he had four brothers and five sisters. Surviving siblings are two sisters, Janette Dockery and Mafra Crisp, North Carolina, and many nephews and nieces.
His five Fox sisters-in-law and their husbands Sharon (Ron) Brandt, Penny Evertson, Vicky (George) Fugett, Patti (Jerre) Blankenship, and Liz (Randy) Canole, and brothers-in-law Buddy Martin (Sheila) and Kevin Martin and his very special mother-in-law Thelma Martin.
He is predeceased by his son, Clay Peek, sisters and brothers and their spouses: Wayne and Irene Peek, George and Janet Peek, Dallie and Everett Ingle, Nell and Ernest Wyatt, Maggie and Jasper Jenkins, Wade Crisp, Wesley Dockery, Chris and Clarie Peek, Jim and Helen Peek, and father-in-law Ray Martin and brother-in-law, Claude Evertson.
Bill was a caretaker to many including his brother, Chris, who he always said was like a father to him and his sister-in-law, Clarie, who lovingly called him Brother Billy. He often said he could not have done it without the help of his dear friend Genie Miller who he loved very much.
He had many, many Platte City friends as well as those he worked with over the years as an Ironworker Local 10. He never met a stranger.
Bill served in the US Marine Corps from February 1958-1960 before moving to Kansas City to join his older brother Chris. He became a Local 10 Ironworker in January 1963 and retired in March 1994. He was an excellent craftsman and fabricator. He was an instructor at the Local 10 apprenticeship program for several years and taught welding at Platte County Vo-Tech. He judged welding at the National Building Trades Competition at Bartle Hall for several years as well. After he retired he started his own Mobile Welding business in 1994 he called Peek Mobile Welding. He retrofitted a moving van with his welder and any kind of tool he needed. There was many a farmer who was happy to see Old Yeller coming to the rescue. He worked until he had to have Old Yeller towed in. One of his many jobs in retirement was building a barge with Jimmy Fuller for DredgeAmerica.
He was a member of the VFW Post 4043 and the NRA. He was of Lutheran faith.
He was an avid motorcyclist and always had a dirt bike or two or three or a motorcycle of some kind. In 1982 he bought his first Harley and in 1992 Nancy bought her first Harley. Together they road thousands of miles and he could tell you every road traveled on and every restaurant where they ate. When they quit riding, his 1996 Road King was about to hit 100,000 miles. He always made new friends wherever he went on his many journeys. He had many adventures with his good friends Gary and Caralou Schmollinger and other Harley riders.
Before COVID hit, he could be found at Casey’s every morning at the same time with his good friend Ralph Stubbs. He had friends there and enjoyed talking to the regular morning customers, especially the school teachers. He really looked forward to the weekly Hump Day gatherings with friends for a couple beers and dinner and wanted to make sure he arrived by 6 p.m. sharp which did not always happen.
He was known by lots of people as an excellent cook. Many people have enjoyed his creamed corn he froze fresh from the garden and the fried apples he made. He was so proud of his home and family. He hosted hog roasts and many fish fries which would not have been possible without the help of fisherman Ron. He invented the DIY vacuum sealer.
He was also very proud of his occupation and talked often about how he used to climb columns or rode the headache ball to get to the floor they were working on. He often said you may not agree with unions but they are the reason you earn and have the benefits that you do.
He was the best story teller you would ever know. Some of his favorite stories were about where and how he grew up in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina and his many hunting adventures in Colorado and Manitoba, Canada. His favorite story was the moose story.
A tribute to his life will be held at the Platte Purchase Building at the Platte County Fairgrounds on Saturday, January 28, 2023. Service at 2 p.m. immediately followed by a fish fry which all are invited to attend.
Cremation arranged by Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Smithville, MO.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to City Union Mission or charity of your choice.
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Comments & condolences
22 comments
Kathy Dougherty
So sorry to hear that Bill passed away. He was a good guy & I sure liked him.sorry I did not make it to the funeral. I had back operation & I really cannot go out of house for 3+ weeks. He will be missed around town by so many people. Bless his hearts & his was a life well lived ♀️
Alice Poynter
So sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Prayers for comfort and peace.
Linda G Bauer
Bill was always telling wonderful stories to us in hair salon, what a wonderful man. Prayers for you all!
Ron McNabb
I am very sorry for your loss.
Brad and Debra Wilson
Nancy,
Deb and I are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Luis Robles
Thank you for sharing this wonderful life and love story.
I would be honored to one day get to listen to the Moose story!
Sending prayers and blessings.
Jeronimo Diaz
My deepest condolences to the family. Sending out prayers of strength and comfort.
Laurie Arbuthnot Arbuthnot
Nancy my thoughts and prayers are with you. I know that you and Bill shared many wonderful days and moments together and I thank both of you were blessed by each other in your marriage. May God continually bless you and may he give you the Peace of you so richly deserve!
Peggy Harmon
I was saddened to hear of Bill’s passing. He certainly touched a lot of people’s lives. He will be greatly missed.
Kurt, Jessica and Aiden Fisher
Our family adored Bill so much! We will miss his hugs, his smile, and most of all his stories, which would usually leave us laughing until we cried! Our thoughts and prayers are with Nancy, his family and all his many friends. We’re all so lucky to have known and loved such a wonderful man!
Karen Shanks
So sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. My condolences to you Nancy and your family. Big hugs to all.
Michael Holloway
So sorry
Sandy George
Hi Nancy, I’m so sorry for your loss. I feel your pain.
I’m remembering all the times Bill and Chris were down at my Dad’s getting ready for their hunting trips to Colorado. Those were good times.
Praying for peace.
Rhonda Carter
My heart goes out to Nancy, my daughter-in-law Jennifer, the grandchildren and all of Bill’s family and friends for this monumental loss. Bill Peek was one of the most interesting people I have had the opporrunity to meet. I will never forget the first time I met him, at Corey’s birthday party, where we shared stories about Southern roots, construction careers, union affiliations and food. He never once failed to be kind, funny, and welcoming every time we crossed paths. The love he had for his family was obvious and the kindness he and Nancy showed toward my parents, then to Paul and I when our parents passed, will never be forgotten. The world needs more like Bill Peek, and the world will be less good without him. My prayers are with Nancy, all who loved him and all who called him their friend.
Jordan Cordero
Jenn, I pray that you may find peace, courage, comfort, and love. My heart goes out to you at this time of sorrow.
Joel Mccosh
Nancy, my deepest condolences go out to you and your family. I know what you are going through and know that you have suffered a terrible loss.
I pray that you will find some comfort and peace through family and friends and let me know if I can do anything to help.
Love you!
Julie Bryan Lange
Am glad that I got to know Bill. He was always kind to me and seemed to always have a smile on his face.
Bill will be missed by many who knew him. R.I.P. Bill until we meet again in heaven.
Julie Bryan Lange
Nancy & Eddie Goins
Would really liked to have met Bill. I think we would have become good friends. But time and circumstances did not allow that to happen. Nancy and I are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Nestor Roberto Ramirez
My deepest condolences.
Alfredo Mora
Our prayers for you and your family. God bless you.
Marsha and Donald Dale
Our hearts go out to Nancy and all of Bill’s family. He was a special person and loved by many. He will be missed.
Kurt, Jessica and Aiden Fisher
Our family adored Bill!!! We will miss him and his stories so much! Thoughts and prayers to Nancy and all of his family and friends.