WILLIE R. "BILL" BALES, JR.

Willie R. "Bill" Bales, Jr., 76, of Hardin, MO, died at 8:17 p.m. on Wednesday, November 17, 2010, at the Ray County Memorial Hospital in Richmond, MO.
Bill was born December 15, 1933 in Hardin to Willie R. Bales, Sr. and Lillian O. (Bandy) Bales. He married Lois J. Richardson of Polo, MO on January 2, 1962; she survives, of the home.
Other survivors include one daughter, Barbara Jean Bales and her significant other, Randal Kennett of Hardin; one sister, Geneva Stevens of Hardin; one granddaughter, Cassandra Bales of Monett, MO; and one great-grandson, Jessie.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one son, Raymond E. Bales; and two brothers, Wilbert Bales and Raymond Bales.
Bill was an associate at Wal-Mart before retiring in 2009. He ran a family business in Hardin from 1981 to 2000. It was first called the B & R Arcade then the B & B Café both in Hardin. He was a past member of the American Legion in Hardin. He lived most of his life in Hardin.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society.

Funeral services will be Saturday, November 20, at 2:00 p.m. at Thurman Funeral Home, Richmond, MO. Visitation will be Saturday, November 20, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Thurman Funeral Home, Richmond, MO. Burial will be in Hardin Cemetery, Hardin, MO, where military graveside services will be conducted by the Ray County Veterans. Thurman Funeral Home, Richmond, MO is in charge of the arrangements.