Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of July 19, 2001 Ellis Wason Butts Ellis Wason Butts of St. James, Mo., formerly of Sullivan, Mo., passed away on Saturday, July 7, 2001 at the age of 84 years. Mr. Butts was born on August 31, 1916 in Cunningham, Mississippi to the late Thomas H. and Dora Ann Derenda (Williams) Butts. As a young boy, he moved to Arkansas, and eventually to St. Clair, Mo. in 1953. On November 2, 1940 Ellis was joined in marriage to Bernice Louise Clark. In 1942 he entered the United States Navy and honorably served his country until 1945. In 1963 his wife, Bernice, preceded him in death. In October 1964 Ellis was married to Birddie Jane Palmer in St. Clair. Then in 1970 they moved to the Sullivan area, and later in 1986 to St. James. Birddie also preceded him in death in 1993. Ellis worked for over twenty years as an auto worker for the Ford Motor Company in Hazelwood, Mo. He was a follower of the Baptist faith, a member of the American Legion in St. Clair, a member of the Sullivan Oddfellow Lodge #156 and a life-time member of the Disabled American Veteran's. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening. Ellis will be remembered and cherished as an extremely patient person who possessed an unforgettable smile. In the words of one of his children, "He was the best man I ever knew." He is survived by three sons, Charles H. Butts of St. Clair, Ellis Wayne Butts and wife, Catherine of St. James, and Bobby Gene Butts of St. Clair; one daughter, Thelma Sue Downey and husband, Thomas of St. Charles, Mo.; six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Funeral services were conducted at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 10, 2001 from the Chapel of the Easton Funeral Home in Sullivan with Pastor Scott Perry officiating. Interment with full military honors was at Midlawn Memorial Garden in Union, Mo. David Luther Dotson David Luther Dotson was born on July 22, 1049 in Gladden, Mo. to Gilbert and Mildred Bacon Dotson. He passed away suddenly on July 8, 2001 at Phelps County Regional Hospital, Rolla, Mo. at the age of 51 years, 11 months and 16 days. As a child, David's family moved around a lot and he completed his schooling in Cuba, Mo. At first, he was a logger by trade and then became a gunsmith the last several years, having his own gun repair shop. He married Barbara Jones on March 20, 1984 in Cuba, Mo. where they made their home. David's hobbies were any kind of fishing, bow and gun hunting. He also was a member of the NRA (National Rifle Association). David was preceded in death by his father, one son David Dotson, Jr. and his mother-in-law Alyce Jones. Those who remain to mourn his passing are his dear wife Barbara of the home; his mother Mildred Watson and husband Ondo of Salem, Mo.; his three sons, Rocki Dotson, Scotti Dotson and wife Elaina, all of Cuba, Mo., David Lewis of Big Spring, Mo. and one daughter Nikki Dotson of Bourbon, Mo.; five brothers, Bill Dotson and wife June, Rick Dotson, Jim Dotson and wife Nancy, all of Cuba, Mo., Wayne Dotson of Hermann, Mo. and Trampus Watson and wife Yvonne of Salem, Mo.; father-in-law Charles Jones of Steelville; six sister-in-laws, Pam Steffen and husband Paul of Lebanon, Tennessee, Robin Jones, Karen Jackson, Sandy Hardin, Tracy Greenwalt and husband Rodney, Melissa Turnbough and husband Jerry, all of Cuba, Mo., and Charles Jones, Jr. of St. Louis, Mo.; five grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends, all who will sadly miss and fondly remember David L. Dotson. Visitation was held at Hutson Funeral Home in Cuba, Mo. from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2001. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 11, 2001 at Hutson Funeral Chapel in Cuba, Mo. with Rev. Charles Ledbetter officiating. Burial was in Steelville Cemetery, Steelville, Mo. and pallbearers were Bill Dotson, Bill Dotson, Jr., James Dotson, Rick Dotson, Jon Haskell, Ben Lee, Mark Pfeiffer and Trampus Watson. Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society. All arrangements were under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Mo. Willis C. Worley Willis C. Worley, resident of Caledonia, Mo. for three weeks (formerly of Festus, Mo.), passed away on Saturday, June 2, 2001 at 6 a.m. at Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Crystal City, Mo. at the age of 82 years and four days. He was born on May 29, 1919 in Cherryville, Mo. to the late Morris and Ester (nee Eaton) Worley. Willis was united in marriage to Georgie Etta (nee Agers) Smith on November 21, 1992. Mr. Worley knew the Lord as his Savior and was a member and founder of the Word Explosion Tabernacle Church of Caledonia, Mo. in 1996. He enjoyed going to church and also being with his family. He was a very loving husband and father. He enjoyed the outdoors, riding his ATV four wheeler and rebuilding old pick-up trucks after he retired. He was preceded in death by his first wife Beulah (Bridgeman) and second wife Neoma (Lockwood). Also, two sisters Edith Worley and Erma Wisdom and son-in-law Rev. Lennie Stringer. Those who remain to mourn his passing are his wife, Georgie Etta Worley of Festus, Mo. His seven daughters, Geraldine Carroll, Erma Davison, Earline Abney and Carol Skinner all residing in Hillsboro, Mo., Sharon Skaggs of Fenton, Mo., Margaret Dotson of Maplewood, Mo., and Wilma Stringer of Caledonia, Mo. His two step-children David Smith, Sr. and Martha Jokerst both residing in Festus, Mo. Two brothers, Willard Worley of Cuba, Mo. and Bill Worley of Steelville, Mo. Mr. Worley also had 16 grandchildren and five step-grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 5 step-great grandchildren. Also many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends who will sadly miss him. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 5, 2001 at Brittons Chapel in Potosi, Mo. with Rev. George DeClue officiating. Serving as pallbearers were Charlie Drennon, Scott Schorlenberg, Bob Thebeau, John Francis, Curt Killian and Chris Kumlin. Interments were held at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Potosi, Mo. under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Potosi, Mo. Reprinted with permission from the Obituary page of the Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror Web site. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. 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