Billy Joe "Lebanon" Howell

Billy Joe Howell was born July 3, 1935 in Orla, Missouri to William Lawrence and Ada Ethel (Simmons) Howell. He departed his life Tuesday, December 23, 2025 in Lebanon, Missouri under the wonderful and loving care of Lebanon North Nursing and Rehab.

Bill attended Sunny Slope School and graduated from Lebanon High School in 1954. He continued to keep up with many of his classmates throughout the years.

He worked at I.L. Scotts Dry Goods and Clothing, Bishop and Justice Furniture, and operated his own sawmill. Bill spent most of his years farming in Diner Holler.

In 1958, Bill was drafted into the United States Army during the Lebanon Crisis and served two years. He attended basic training at Ft. Hood, Texas and then returned to Ft. Leonard Wood to attend cook school. The majority of his time was spent serving in Germany where he cooked for enlisted and brass. After his time in the Army, he served in the Army Reserves for several years.

During his life he was active in the Lions Club and 4-H. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards and traveling with friends. One of his favorite activities was listening to music, listening to the radio, music parties, and unfortunately for others, singing along and strumming his belly as a guitar.

On February 20, 1957, Bill married Zella Corene Tillman and to this union five children were born, twins Joetta Sue and Kenneth Dean, Jonetta Lynn, David William and Dana Lanae. Bill and Corene worked side by side until her passing in 1991.

Bill is survived by his daughters, Jonetta Shaver and her husband Mike of Grovespring, Missouri, Dana Morgan and her husband Jon of Lebanon, Missouri; his son David Howell and his wife Annette of Grovespring, Missouri; his grandchildren, Cori Long and her husband Kaleb of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Amy Baugus and her husband Zach of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Kelsey Ruble and her husband Wes of Grovespring, Missouri, Ethan Howell and his wife Bailey of Grovespring, Missouri and Justin Morgan of Lebanon, Missouri; nine great-grandchildren, Kai Long, Kolin Long, Owen Baugus, Drake Ruble, Hale Ruble, Brock Ruble, Colton Howell, Lauren Howell and one on the way.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Corene; infant twins Joetta Sue and Kenneth Dean; his siblings, Ellis Howell, Sidney Howell, Verbia Howell, infant Ancil Howell and Teen Sharp.

His greatest passion was visiting with others. He never met a stranger and enjoyed talking to anyone who would listen. He was always eager to invite others in to talk a while. While is voice has gone quiet, the memories his friends and family have will live on for years to come.