Willard C. Pence

Willard C. Pence, 80, of Smithville, MO, passed away, October 4, 2010. He was surrounded by Joan, his wife of 60 years, his two children, W.C. Pence and wife, Micky, and Pam Dice and husband, David and six grandchildren, Brandon and Brett Mingee, Amy and Sarah Pence, and Bradley and Jacob Dice.

He was born on July 23, 1930 to Cleve and Georgia Pence in Kearney, Missouri and was the youngest of five boys. After graduation from Kearney High School in 1948 he entered into business with his brother, Bob, establishing Pence Plumbing and Electric.

On January 20, 1951 Willard married his sweetheart, Joan Groom. He entered military service serving in the U.S. Army for two years in the Korean Conflict. In July 1960 he was honorably discharged, after having served both active and reserve time. Upon returning home in Kearney he resumed his work with his brother.

In 1967 he moved to Smithville with his family to further his occupation and became owner of Pence Heating and Cooling.

He and his family became active members of the First Baptist Church in Smithville.

Willard has been active in local city government since 1963 when he was elected to the city council in Kearney. He served on the council until his move to Smithville and then was elected to the Smithville City Council in 1971 and served two consecutive two year terms. In 1976 Willard was elected Mayor and held that position until 1988. During his tenure as Mayor, he was privileged to witness the completion of the Smithville Lake and Dam, participating in the ribbon cutting ceremonies with the late U.S. Senator Thomas Eagleton.

In 1975, Willard became a member of the Spelman Memorial Hospital Board of Directors serving on numerous committees. He was elected president of the fifteen member board serving from 1988 to 1991.

He retired from business in 1995 and since that time he and Joan have enjoyed spending their winters in Arizona with their many friends. Willard will certainly be missed by everyone who knew him. His entire family considered him to be very special. May God rest his soul.

Funeral Services: 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 8^th at the First Baptist Church, Smithville.

Interment with Military Honors: Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Kearney, MO.

Visitation: 6:00-9:00 p.m. Thursday at the church.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Northcare Hospice, 2900 Clay Edwards Drive North Kansas City, MO 64116.

Arrangements, Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Smithville.