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Billy Wayne Mason
03/05/1949 - 08/20/2026
Advance, Missouri
| Visitation: | 08/24/2026 |
| Service: | 08/24/2026 |
Billy Wayne Mason, youngest son of the late Floyd Elbert and Ruth Wagster Mason was born in rural Stoddard County, Missouri, on March 5, 1949. He was 77 years, 5 months and 15 days young at the time of his passing.
Bill was a happy little boy who learned to run fast. He started his life near Clines Island on a farm. He had six older brothers and three older sisters. He quickly learned that he either had to run fast or fight. After his dad died he and his mom moved to Essex, MO where he attended Richland High School. Learning to run served him well over the years. He set a Missouri state record in the 50 yard dash in 1968! He graduated from Richland High School on May 11, 1968. Im proud to say I was there to watch him walk down the aisle to get his diploma.
Later that summer Bill moved to Milwaukee to live with his brother T.J. and worked there until he went into the US Army in 1969.
He was drafted and served in the signal corps. He was a radio operator, a telephone operator, and DJ on Armed Forces Radio.
Once again his running ability paid off. The guys from different units would race to see which group ate first. Bills group of course!
After the Army, he attended SIU in Edwardsville, where he met and married Nancy Pape and had two beautiful daughters. Their oldest daughter, Cassandra, Cassie is married to Jeff Carden of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas and they have two sons, Montana Carden, married to Isabelle, and Kolt Carden. Their younger daughter, Erin lives in Louisville, KY.
Bill lived in Granite City, IL and worked for Illinois Bell and AT&T until he retired. When they asked him to transfer to their new office in San Antonio, he told them, I like the food but I dont speak the language. He then lived in Alton, IL and worked for Hogan as a driver trainer for several years until he moved to Sikeston, MO.
Bill started dating his former girlfriend from high school, Deana Jo Wiggins Middleton. He moved to Advance, Missouri and married Deana on December 30, 2000. He delivered propane and retired from Southeast COOP, where he worked for several years. Bill and Deana enjoyed life together until August 20, 2026. They enjoyed over 26 years together with Deanas two daughters, Laina Middleton Morse and Mandy Middleton Ford. Laina married Charles Morse, and had two daughters, Brylee Morse and Meadow Morse. Brylee married Frank Green and had Bill and Deanas first great grandson, Jacob Samuel. Mandy Middleton Ford married Johnny Ford, and they had two children, Madi Ford and Drake Ford.
Bill is survived by two daughters, two step daughters, six grandchildren, one great grandchild, and many nieces and nephews.
Bill was preceded in death by his nine siblings, Donald Mason, Gerald Mason, LeRoy Mason, T.J. Mason, Elbert Mason, Bobby Eugene Mason, Carol Lawrence, Vada Eaton, Barbara Montgomery and one half brother, Alvin Mason.
Bill was a member of the Assemblies of God in the earlier years of his life and recently was an active member of Frontier Church in Jackson, MO. He was and is a Christ follower.
After a heart attack in January, Bill fought for 7 long months and we stood by his side calling him our rockstar through it all. Bill explained his one goal being, to get back to my life and my wife. I knew his wish was to pass in our home so I prayed God would not let him die in the hospital. Roughly thirty two hours after being discharged from the hospital, in the early hours of August 20, 2026, as I sat at the table monitoring his blood sugar, he silently and painlessly went to be with the Lord. Hours before meeting Jesus, Meadow, Laina, and I shared a lovely time of laughter, hugs, and kisses. He was at home, in his bed, surrounded by family. He never lost his sense of humor or his sweetness. Despite the trials he endured during those seven months he was brave, never complained, and was always kind. He was so loved and will continue to be by all who knew him.
Funeral services will be held at Morgan Funeral Home in Advance, MO, on Monday August 24, 2026 at 6:00pm preceded by family visitation from 3:00 to 4:00pm, and public visitation from 4:00 to 6:00pm. Pastor Nate Middleton will officiate. Burial will be at 1:00pm on Friday August 28, 2026 at the Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, MO.
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