Gerald G. Laney

Gerald G. Laney

Mr. Gerald G. Laney, age 88, Billings, Missouri, passed away Saturday, August 15, 2015, at his home, with family at his side. He was born May 24, 1927, to the late Elmer and Anna (Kraft) Laney, in Billings. He was united in marriage to Hazel Wagemann on May 19, 1950. They were blessed with three sons, Steve, Stan, and Tyler, and 53 years together before Hazel passed away October 24, 2003.

Gerald served his country in the United States Army Air Corp from July 22, 1945 to January 19, 1947. He served as a Crew Chief on a P-47 Thunderbolt in Germany and received the Victory and Army of Occupation-Germany Medals.

He was a 60 plus year member of the Billings Masonic Lodge #379, as well as a member of the Scottish Rite, the Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Lodge, and the Eastern Star Lodge. He served on the Billings R-IV School Board for 15 years. He had operated a rock crusher for Griesemer Quarries, handled the maintenance and repair of equipment at Producers Creamery, and was boiler operator at the Dayco Plant for 26 years and never missed a day of work. After that he continued his farming operation until he retired in 2009,

Gerald had several hobbies. He earned his pilot license and owned two different airplanes. He loved to travel in his motor home or go on cruises with his wife, Hazel; watching and supporting his grandchildren in their various activities; caring for the Laney Family Cemetery; playing rhythm guitar in a music group, and having dances in his barn at his home.

Gerald was a lifelong resident of Billings, residing his entire life, no more than four miles from where his grandfather, George M. Laney settled in 1848. He and his only true love, Hazel, worked throughout their lifetime on jobs in town and on their farm, thoroughly enjoying the many trips together, and all of their wonderful grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They respected the generations of family members and lifelong friends who had come before them to help them along throughout their life.

Gerald's parents; his wife, Hazel; two brothers, Clifford Laney and an un-named brother that died at birth; a daughter-in-law, Patty (Harter) Laney; a brother-in-law, Virgil Wagemann, and a sister-in-law, Marie Laney, all preceded him in death.

He is survived by his children, Steve Laney, Fort Smith, Arkansas, Stan Laney, Tyler Laney and wife Candy (Verfurth), all of Billings; eight grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren, Nichole (Laney Plowman, her husband Lyndell, and their children, Colton, Cale, and Carter, of Billings; Nina (Laney) Vesci, her husband Matt, and their children, Grace, Luke, and Georgia, of Billings; Naomi (Laney) Harter, her husband Bradley, and their children, Bella and Brock, of Billings, Todd Laney, his wife Jenny, and their children, Dylan and Jake, of Ozark, Missouri; Ross Laney, of Billings; Amy (Laney) Mooneyham, her husband Brock, and their son Cooper, of Billings; Phillip Laney, his wife Amy, and their daughter Caroline, of San Antonio, Texas; Sean Laney, his wife Jennifer, and their children, Sierra, Cameron, Shawn, Rocky, and Dylan, of Fort Smith, Arkansas; a brother and sister-in-law, Emmett Laney and wife Ruth; a sister-in-law, Norma Wagemann; nieces and nephew, Cindy Wagemann, Jim Laney, and Diane Cupp.

There will be a visitation 6-8 P.M., with Masonic Rites at 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, August 19, 2015, in Meadors Funeral Home, Billings. The funeral service will be at 11:00 A.M., Thursday, August 20, 2015, in the funeral home. Burial, with military honors, will follow in the Laney Family Cemetery.

The family suggests memorial contributions in lieu of flowers to the Billings R-IV Scholarship Fund, 118 W. Mt. Vernon, Billings, MO 65610 or the Masonic Home of Missouri, 6033 Masonic Drive, Suite A, Columbia, MO 65202

Online condolences may be shared at www.meadorsfuneralhome.com