William "Bill" Wirt Haines III

William Wirt Haines III, age 92, passed away peacefully at his residence in Olney, MO on February 4, 2023. Bill was born on February 16, 1930, at the Haines family home in Olney built by his grandfather, William W. Haines I in 1887. His parents were William W. Haines II and Ruth Ebaugh Haines. He was educated at Olney School, Bowling Green High School, and attended the University of Missouri. At age 17, he began teaching school at Abe Duff, a one room school primarily made up of Mudd and Norton children. On June 25, 1949, Bill married Bethsheba Jane Wommack, daughter of Kathryn Sands Miller and Joseph Benton Wommack of rural Millwood. They were united in marriage in a double wedding ceremony, which included her sister, Kathryn Rebecca Wommack and William Wendell Edelen. Bill and Betty were happily married for 73 years. Five children were born to Bill and Betty, four sons and one daughter: William Wirt IV, Bethsheba Jane, Ernest Edwin, Rex Benton, and John Charles. They also helped raise one granddaughter, Courtney Lee. Bill was a true business man. He sold cars at Troy Motors for Harry Gooch, which later became Phil Beck Motors. He was a salesman in Wentzville for Schramm and Cox, which later became Cox and Cohea, and then Poage Motors. Bill sold vehicles for nearly 70 years. Not only did he sell cars, he also traded land and livestock, and managed the Haines family farm, which he eventually owned. Bill even operated a traveling motion picture show during the 40’s with his good friend, Bud Stroker. He had many business ventures and served on the board of Silex Banking Co., Silex Lumber Co., and Central Elevator. Bill enjoyed life to the fullest and never met a stranger. He liked to travel with his wife, Betty. He always enjoyed visiting with neighbors and friends, and he was a huge country music fan and baseball fan. He especially loved Loretta Lynn and the Yankees. His wife Betty was a Cardinals fan, so that always made watching the game a little more exciting. Bill was a lucky man winning a few cars and trips throughout his life and has spread some of the “Haines luck” to his children and grandchildren. Bill Haines has lived in Olney all of his life and has taken care of his little town in many ways. He was often thought of as the “Mayor of Olney.” He attended Olney Baptist Church and belonged to many organizations including the Olney Cemetery Association, Olney Masonic Lodge, later Silex-Olney Masonic Lodge, and Eastern Star. Mr. Haines recently was presented with his 70th year Masonic Pin. Bill is survived by his wife, Betty, of Olney, four children: Jane Kientzy and husband Steve of Silex; Ed Haines of Marion, IL and friend Debbie Bertrand; Rex Haines and wife Barb Kientzy Haines of Silex; John Haines and wife Darla Sue Mudd of Mexico, MO, nine grandchildren: William W. Haines V (Sarah), Stephen Haines Kientzy (Teresa), Gina Bethsheba Kientzy Harris (Caleb), Benton John Haines (Jessica), Courtney Lee Haines Rhodes (Austin), Michael Kientzy Haines (Emily), Morgan Nicole Haines Palliser (Bret), John “Jake” William Haines, and Nicholas Ernest Haines. He is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren, two sisters-in-law, Becky Edelen and Mary Wommack, and many friends. Bill is preceded in death by his parents, his son William W. Haines IV, and his sister Louise Haines Chappel. Visitation and funeral services for William Wirt Haines III of Olney, MO will be February 7, 2023 in Millwood, MO. Family and friends will be received from 10:00-2:00 at the Millwood Knights of Columbus Hall located at 29 St. Alphonsus Road Silex, MO 63377. Funeral service will be held at 2:00. Reverend Fred Barker and Father Charles Tichacek will officiate and music will be provided by Marlene Sanderson Kut, Steve Sanderson, Tracy Krueger, and Jordan Krueger Miller. Burial will be at the Olney Cemetery with a Masonic service conducted by Jake Thompson and Dennis Hammock. There will be a meal following at the Millwood KC Hall. Funeral services are under the direction of Bibb-Veach Funeral Homes & Crematory in Silex, MO. Pallbearers include his six grandsons: Billy Haines, Stephen Kientzy, Benton Haines, Michael Haines, Jake Haines, and Nick Haines. Honorary pallbearers include: David Duvel, Nick Erbe, Bill Hawkins, Steve Sanderson, and Gordon Voss. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Olney Cemetery Association, Olney Baptist Church, St. Alphonsus School - Better Together Fund, or donor’s choice.

William "Bill" Wirt Haines III

February 16, 1930 - February 4, 2023