Billy C. Vinson

Billy C. Vinson, age 92, went to be with his Lord and Savior on November 26, 2025, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mt. Vernon, Missouri. He was born on March 9, 1933, in rural Love County, Oklahoma, to James Earl and Elta Mae (Meeks) Vinson.

Throughout his lifetime, he was proud to proclaim himself from "Oklahoma!" His family moved to southwest Missouri during his teen years where he graduated from Exeter High School. He met the love of his life, Loretta Pilant, through gospel quartet singing. They were married in Cassville, Missouri, on June 6, 1953. During the Korean War, he served with the US Army in Germany. He completed a bachelor's degree from Southwest Missouri State College in Springfield, then began a business career in Tulsa, Oklahoma, working with Ohio Oil Company. In 1960 they moved back to Missouri for family farm life and a career change to the field of education. He served at Exeter High School for one year then taught business classes for 30 more years in Joplin, Missouri, at Franklin Technical School and Parkwood High School. They settled with their two daughters in the Sarcoxie community where Bill and Loretta lived for almost 60 years. He enjoyed raising Angus cattle and his prize registered Duroc hogs. To supplement retirement, they built and operated a self-storage business at Sarcoxie. Bill was an active member of First Baptist Church of Sarcoxie, where he taught an adult Sunday School class and served as deacon for many years. He was passionate to study the Bible and talk theology. He liked to deer hunt, canoe, and travel to the mountains with family. Throughout his life, he was known by everyone for his fondness to joke and tease. Bill will be greatly missed by those who loved him.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Loretta; daughters Teresa Brown (husband, Greg), Tina Augustine (husband, Charlie Hughes); grandchildren, Trevor Brown, Taryn Brown, Charity Hootman, Casie Augustine, and Blake Augustine; 4 great-grandchildren; brother Loyd Vinson (wife, Mary); sisters Ann Richards, Shirley Pewthers (husband, Gerald), and Nita Crabb.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers Darrell Vinson and Don Vinson; and son-in-law, Larry Augustine.

Graveside services will be held at the Pilant Family Cemetery near Cassville, Missouri, at 2PM on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, with Gary Vinson officiating. His Celebration of Life will be at 1PM on Tuesday, January 6th, at First Baptist Church of Sarcoxie, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the church in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to the family through our website www.housh-godwinfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home in Sarcoxie, Missouri.