GLEN ALLEN, Mo. -- Billy Wayne Fields, 85, of Glen Allen passed away Saturday, May 28, 2022, surrounded by his loving family at his home.

He was born March 31, 1937, near Kennett, Missouri, son of Charlie and Ruth Smith Fields. He and the former Bonnie Jean Darden were united in marriage Dec. 24, 1960.

Bill and Bonnie had three children of whom he was very proud, Roger Wayne, James "Rick" Richard (Jane Arnzen) and Karen Regina (Chuck Martin); five grandsons, Tim, Blake, Zach, Kyle and Seth; and eight great-grandchildren, Cameron, Hudson, Scarlett, Jocelyn, Lilianna, Autumn, Addison and Maverick, with three more on the way!

At age 17, Bill joined the U.S. Navy and saw the world. He was on the maiden cruise of the USS Forrestal, the first super carrier. He met Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier on ship. He once hitchhiked (oops!) a ride with Adm. John "Peg-Leg" Hoskins. Hoskins took Bill to Rhode Island to the premier movie about his life, giving Bill a front row seat. On his 19th birthday he was on the French Riviera. He loved the Navy as he cruised the Mediterranean.

Bill worked many years for Grief Brothers Containers, starting out sweeping floors and then learning how to operate every machine. He eventually became the superintendent of one of the largest plants in Huston, Texas. Bill retired to the farm in Glen Allen at an early age and developed his own roofing company, The Marble Hill Roofers.

Bill made many friends and was especially fond of the kids who frequented his "Hitch-N-Post" in Glen Allen.

Bill's best buddy was his fur baby, Charlie, who liked to ride on the tractor or four-wheeler with him and sat on his knee as he played the keyboard.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Roger Fields; brother, J.W. Jelks; two brothers-in-law, Jerry Bell and Jim Darden; and nephew, Chuck Fields.

He is survived by a sister, Wilma Bell; three brothers, Bob (Susan), Ted (Jean) and Jim (Wanda); and several nieces and nephews.

Bill was of the Baptist faith and attended First Baptist Church of Marble Hill, Missouri.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Liley Funeral Home in Marble Hill.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Revs. Kevin Mann and Andrew Green officiating. Military Honors will take place after the service at the funeral home. Burial will be at 4 p.m. Saturday in the Oak Ridge Cemetery in Kennett.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to SALT (Seniors and Lawmen Together), 1553 Lexington Ave., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 or to the First Baptist Church of Marble Hill, 502 Broadway St., Marble Hill, MO 63764.

Arrangements were under the care of Liley Funeral Home in Patton, Missouri.

"Did anyone check Bill's pockets? He always said he's taking his money with him."