Billy G. Meech, 84, rural Fort Scott, died Tuesday, April 5, 2016, at his home. He was born Sept. 23, 1931, in Linn County, the son of Juell Walter Meech and Elsie May Finney Meech. He first married Carol Jean McHenry. They were divorced. He later married Joyce Brown on Sept. 2, 1967, in Fort Scott. In his earlier years, he worked in logging and fruit orchards in the Northwest. He later returned to Kansas and worked for Bourbon County and later for the State Highway Department. He retired as supervisor for the highway department after 35 years of service. In addition, he farmed and raised cattle.
Survivors include his wife, Joyce, of the home; three daughters, Carol A. Meech West and husband Jim, Iola, Patsy R. Meech Pollet and husband Clarence, LaHarpe, and Carla S. Meech Powell, Arma; two sons, Billy J. Meech and Keith E. Meech, both of Fort Scott and two foster daughters, Melba L. Marsh, Pittsburg, and Lora L. Holdridge and husband Ronald, Fort Scott; 13 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters, Itha J. Turntine and husband Harold, and Jewell L. Ross, all of Topeka; a sister-in-law, Estella E. Meech, and a brother-in-law, Jimmie L. Shoemaker, both of Fort Scott. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Dennis W. Meech.
The Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 10 a.m. Friday at Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Fulton. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Children’s Mercy Hospital and may be left in care of the funeral home, Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
