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Billy Adkisson
EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — Billy Gene Adkisson, 84, a resident of East Prairie, passed from this life Feb. 11, 2023. He was born July 3, 1938, in Windyville, Missouri, near East Prairie, to Rudolph and Alice Adkisson.
Bill was proud to have been born into a hard-working farm family that grew, cotton, corn and soybeans. His experiences on the farm shaped his core values which included hard work, a never-quit attitude, charity, resilience, sharing and service. His nature was to lift and engage people, believing that everyone has something of value to offer.
Bill married Peggy Sue Marshall, also of East Prairie, March 19,1955. They, like many contemporaries, eloped to Corinth, Mississippi, taking witnesses with them. In the spring of 1961, they began their improbable journey on a lark, when Bill called Peggy from California to tell her about its beauty and opportunity, and jokingly told her to be ready to move when he returned. Upon his return, Bill found Peggy had sold everything and was ready to go. Bill, Peggy, Eddie and Gary got in the car and were off to California.
Hometown friend, Doug Miller, repeatedly invited Bill to church, once they arrived in Ontario, California. He finally agreed and his life was profoundly changed as he found what he had been searching for, Jesus Christ. It was a radical change! Bill embraced Christianity and quickly expressed his desire to become a minister.
The young family of four, including Eddie, a first grader, and Gary, a kindergartner, moved to the bay area of California where he and Peggy enrolled in Bible College. Kirk was born shortly before both graduated.
Upon graduation, Bill accepted a pastorate in Gardena, California, beginning a 53-year ministry journey. Peggy was a huge part of that ministry using her talent as a teacher and children's church pastor. Together, they pastored churches in nine states.
Bill was a pioneer church planter with The Free Will Baptist denomination of Nashville, Tennessee, and served as a missionary in Canada. Bill and Peggy later developed a love for the people of Mexico and over several years sponsored trips to assist in building churches, and together raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for an orphanage/school to be built in Tuxtepec, Oaxaca, Mexico, where 16 boys and 16 girls now reside and attend school.
They made several visits and Peggy told of taking an hours-long trip in a small boat up a river to a remote area. Just as Bill and Peggy wondered how much further, they heard cheering children from atop a mountain. Their arrival was much anticipated as Peggy delivered 300 Beanie Baby’s to the village children for Christmas! There are many stories like this from across the U.S., Canada and Mexico as they impacted lives in their ministry.
Bill loved horses, always had a joke, and gave away hundreds of bicycles he collected and repaired. He collected many things, and with an entrepreneurial spirit, he successfully bought and sold tractors and equipment, horses, and tack, and much more. He and Peggy also owned and operated retail stores, all while ministering full-time.
But most importantly, they impacted people’s lives for eternity.
Surviving are sons, Eddie Adkisson (Marsha Bain), Gary Adkisson (Glenda Sutton); daughter-in-law, Debbie Brooks Adkisson; and grandchildren, Clay Adkisson (Mandy), Amy Adkisson Farmer (Ryan), Logan Adkisson (Jessie) Alisa Adkisson Duncan (Matt) Paige Adkisson Lombardo (Joe); 12 great-grandchildren; sister, Sue (Adkisson) Martin; and a host of nephews, nieces, and cousins.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by son, Kirk Adkisson; granddaughter, Sara Adkisson; brothers, Paul, Ralph, Jack, Harold (Joe), Jerry, Kenny Keck; and sisters, Thelma and Dean.
Visitation will begin at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston, Missouri, with the funeral service to follow at 1 p.m. with Rev. Wayne Bess of Nashville officiating and assisted by Rev. Larry Kirby.
Interment will be at IOOF Cemetery near Charleston under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be: Clay Adkisson, Logan Adkisson, Ryan Farmer, Matt Duncan, Seth Adkisson, Asher Adkisson, Peyton Adkisson and Braxton Farmer. Honorary Pallbearers are Joe Lombardo, J.R. Lombardo, Will Duncan and Andy Youngblood.
A special thanks to the staff of Aspire Senior Living in East Prairie, where Bill shared love and encouragement and kept them laughing.
Please consider a donation to The Orphanage through Berea Ministries Inc. PO Box 57, Morristown, TN 37815-0057