Willis Conner

DEXTER - Willis Conner, 85, died Dec. 2, 2004, at Missouri Southern Healthcare.

Born July 17, 1919, near Dexter, son of the late Calvin and Charlottie Tettaton Conner, served as mayor for the City of Dexter for 35 years. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he owned Willis Conner Insurance and Real Estate in Dexter. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and Kiwanis Club in Dexter, Kenady-Hanks Post 59, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

On July 5, 1939, at Piggott, Ark., he married Marie Culbertson who preceded him in death on Dec. 4, 1983.

He and Vanita Boone were married April 26, 1985, at Dexter and she died Dec. 29, 2003.

Survivors include: one son, David Conner of San Francisco; two daughters, Sue Kneale of Oregon, Mo., and Carol Wilcox of San Francisco; two stepsons, Jim Boone of Dexter and David Boone of Batesville, Ark.; one stepdaughter, Leslie Palmer of Syracuse, Ind.; and three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Also preceding him in death were four brothers, Roy Conner, Loyd Conner, Juil Conner and Vondie O'Conner; and one sister, Anita Conner.

Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter where services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. The Rev. Fred Leist will officiate.

Burial will follow in the Hagy Cemetery.