Willard Ray Spease

Willard Ray Spease, 65, of Plattsburg, Mo., returned to his Heavenly Father, Sunday, June 10, 2007.

He was born on October 26, 1941 to Donald E. and Mary Rose (Alliett) Spease. The family moved to Grayson in his 5^th grade year and he graduated from Gower High School.

On June 6, 1964 he was united in marriage to Janice Kay Roe. After their marriage they lived in Plattsburg, the city they loved.

Willard worked for Crouch Auto in Gower from 1961-63, Skip Tinnen Bus Company where he was a mechanic from 64-67, Cyrus Oil Co. in Kansas City, Kansas, 1968-70, was parts manager at Kindred Chevrolet in Smithville, for 12 years, was parts department manager at Nolker Chevrolet in Plattsburg and in 1982 opened Spease Collision Repair in Plattsburg. In 1989 he also opened Spease Antiques so they could make a living doing what they loved…specializing in Victorian Antiques.

Willard was a lifelong member of the Community of Christ Church in Trimble, served on Plattsburg City Council from 1986-1997, was voted Person of the Year in 2004 by the Chamber of Commerce, was actively involved in revitalizing the downtown community of Plattsburg, helped organize Plattsburg Annual Car Shows, Cruise Nights and two Christmas Homes Tours.

Willard loved, antiquing, road trips, spending time with friends and family and always loved taking his grandkids for golf cart rides.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Donald.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Janice, daughters and husbands, Martitia Lynne and David Riddle, and Leigh Anne and Todd Tucci, grandchildren, Derek Lee Riddle, Christina Marie Riddle, Baleigh Kayrole Riddle, Carson Ray Tucci, Tori Marie Tucci and Taylor Ann Tucci, , brother, Charles Spease and wife, Michele, all of Plattsburg, several nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.

FUNERAL SERVICE: 1:00 P.M., Thursday, June 14^th at the Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Gower.

BURIAL: Green Lawn Cemetery, Plattsburg

Visitation: 6:30-8:00 P.M., Wednesday, at the funeral home.