William Plummer

NEW MADRID - William H. Plummer, 86, died Oct. 31, 2001, at Beverly Healthcare in New Madrid.

Born Aug. 6, 1915, in Miami, Okla., to the late Bertha H. and Harry S. Plummer, he was a long-time newspaper editor, writer and photographer.

Attending Park College in Parkville and the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity, he received his journalism degree in 1936 and began working as a reporter with the Harrison County Times.

In 1940 he was named general news editor at the Chillicothe Constitution Tribune. After two years, he joined the staff at the Kansas City Times, where he was employed for two years prior to joining the service. In 1946 he returned to the Chillicothe Constitution Tribune working at the newspaper for the next 41 years, serving as editor, photographer, part owner, and at his retirement in 1987 as assistant to the publisher. Following his retirement, he continued to write his column, "Reflections."

He was active in the Northwest Missouri Press Association serving as president of the organization in 1963-64. For his work in journalism he was honored by the Missouri House of Representatives, City of Chillicothe and the Chillicothe School District as well as other local organizations. He served one term on the Chillicothe City Council and was a member of several city and county organizations including the Chillicothe Kiwanis Club and American Legion. Also he was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Chillicothe.

A member of the National Guard, he served in the U.S. Navy from 1944-1946 as a member of a mobile communications unit in the Southwest Pacific. The lieutenant (junior grade) then joined the Naval Reserves, earning the rank of lieutenant.

On June 29, 1940, at Bethany, he married Helen Wilson, who survives of New Madrid.

Other survivors include: three sons and daughters-in-law, Jim and Tami Plummer of Houston, Texas, Bill and Marilyn Plummer of Lakewood, Colo., and Randy and Charlotte Plummer of Snellville, Ga.; one daughter and son-in-law, Riley and Jill Bock of New Madrid; one sister, Mrs. Bill (Roxanne) Thams of Midland, Texas; and five grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Nov. 10 at the First Presbyterian Church in Chillicothe.

Burial will follow at the Bethany Cemetery.

Richards Funeral Home in New Madrid is in charge of local arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be sent to:

William H. Plummer Scholarship

in care of the

Constitution-Tribune

P.O. Box 707

Chillicothe, Mo., 63601