ESSEX, Mo. -- William "Bill" Tumbleson, 67, of Essex died Saturday, July 28, 2001, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter, Mo.

He was born Dec. 12, 1933, in Clarksville, Ark., son of Victor and Beulah Jones Tumbleson. He and Eileen Jackson were married July 24, 1970, in Clayton, Mo.

Tumbleson was a retired painter and wallpaper hanger. He lived in Arkansas and Affton, Mo., before moving to Essex in 1976. He was a member of Taylor General Baptist Church near Essex.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Survivors include his wife; a son, James Tumbleson of St. Louis; his mother of Sikeston, Mo.; two brothers, Wayne Tumbleson of Sikeston, Howard Tumbleson of Albuquerque, N.M.; a sister, Sharon Null of Cape Girardeau; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, a son, and a brother.

Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Mo., with the Rev. Doyle Corlew officiating. Military rites will be conducted by the Marine Corps League Honor Guard of Cape Girardeau.

Watkins and Sons Funeral Service of Dexter is in charge of arrangements.