Paul Bolin

Paul Bolin passed peacefully at home on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, into the arms of his Lord and Savior where he was reunited with many family, friends, and the love of his life, Betty.

Paul was born on June 3, 1944, in Holla Bend, Arkansas, to Alec and Etta Bolin. He grew up on a farm, learning early the value of hard work, responsibility, and taking care of both people and the land. From boyhood, Paul had a natural mechanical mind-he could tinker, build, and repair anything. He especially loved old cars and trucks, and throughout his life rebuilt many from the ground up.

In the early 1950s, Paul's family moved to Cooter, Missouri. It was there that he met his future wife, Betty Rorie. The two married in 1961 and shared more than sixty years together, raising four children and building not only a beautiful home but a beautiful life. Paul and Betty were true "do-it-yourselfers"-together they worked, dreamed, and persevered, crafting a life that embodied the American dream.

In 1966, Paul began his career as a steel fabricator with Paul Mueller Company. Over the course of forty years, through dedication and determination, he worked his way up to Sales Manager, the role from which he retired in 2006. His work ethic, loyalty, and leadership were hallmarks of his career and carried through into every part of his life.

Retirement brought Paul the time to enjoy the things he loved most: his land, fishing, gardening, restoring classic trucks, and telling stories about his life growing up in rural Arkansas and Missouri. But above all, Paul cherished his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and his faith in the Lord. He leaves behind a legacy of devotion to family, hard work, and love well lived.

Paul was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Rorie Bolin; his son, Paul Kevin Bolin; his parents, John Alexander "Alec" Bolin and Etta Ridgley Bolin; his brothers Charles, James "Cookie," Johnny, and Bill; and sisters Lavern and Nadine.

He is survived by his sons Mitch (Lanie) Bolin of Niceville, Florida, and Mark (Brenda) Bolin of Springfield, Missouri; daughter Dana McKeen of Springfield, Missouri; sister Shirley Stevens of Springfield, Missouri; grandchildren Kristyn Kenney, Amber Martin, Nichole Warren, Kyle Bennett, Kaylee Ballinger, Megan Bolin, Alex Bolin, Jordan Endicott, and Matthew Bolin; twenty-five great-grandchildren; several sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Monday, September 15, at 10:00 a.m. with funeral service at 11 a.m. at Greenlawn Funeral Home North. Graveside services to follow immediately after in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis.