William A. Showers    William A. “Bill” Showers, 85, of Mexico, died Saturday, June 20, 2009, at his home.    Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, 2009, at Pickering Funeral Home in Mexico with Martin Stukenburg officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 p.m. until service time. There will also be a service in Lebanon, Indiana, at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 27, 2009 at Myers Mortuary. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Lebanon.    Bill was born on July 26, 1923 in Ft. Branch, Indiana.  He was the first born son of William L. and Theota M. (Austin) Showers.  At the age of five he moved to Chicago, Illinois where his father attended Moody Bible Institute.  After four years his family moved to southern Kentucky where his father started several churches.  Bill returned to Shiloh Baptist Church periodically until the time of his death.  He lived in Princeton and Owensville, Indiana until departing for service in the army in January of 1941.  He married Amileta Eileen Stevens in 1943 in Princeton, Indiana before departing for Europe in August of 1944.  Upon his return they lived in Princeton and Lebanon, Indiana prior to settling in Barrington, Illinois.  They then lived in Hebron, Illinois; Frankfort, Indiana.  Amileta preceded him in death on October 4, 1995.    Bill was Vice President of Sales with EBSCO Industries until his retirement.  Bill returned to National Guard service in 1948 and spent 29 years as a reservist with periodic active duty before retiring as a Colonel of Artillery in 1977.  After retirement, he actively pursued his interest in Arabian horses.  He was a member of the American Legion and VFW.  He was active in volunteer services at the Missouri Veterans Home, was a two term president of the ABC Seniors Group at First Baptist Church, which he attended, and was a board member at the Handi Shop, where he also served as president of the board for two terms.     He married Carol Jean Hebel on October 18, 1997 in St. Charles, Ill.   They made their home in Mexico. In addition to Carol he is survived by his five children;  Gary (Ann) Showers, Oldsmar, Florida; Jon (Elaine) Showers, Woodstock, Illinois; Charles (Laura) Showers, Fulton, Tim Showers, Mexico, Jill (Bill) McCaw, Martinsburg; two-stepchildren, Scott (Natalie) Hebel , Mason, Ohio and Nancy Wilson, Mexico; eight grandchildren Dusty and Heather Showers, Oldsmar, Florida,  Josh (Roberta) Swanson, Bisbee, Arizona, Kristi Showers, Schaumburg, Illinois, Jacob Showers, Fulton; Kristen and Shannon Hebel, Mason, Ohio; Holly Wilson, Mexico; and four great grandchildren, Kinsey and Tegan Showers, and Alex and Sabina Swanson.    In addition to his first wife he was preceded in death by two brothers, John and Robert Showers, and one sister Ruth Ann Showers.    Memorials may be made, to the Handi Shop or the Missouri Veterans Home. They may be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.

Public Tributes and Expressions of Sympathy Pickering Funeral Home extends our sympathy to the family and friends of Mr. Showers. We are honored they have allowed us to assist them during this time. Dad, I love you and will miss you. You could not have been a better father and friend. Gary Uncle Gus & Aunt Annie, We are so sorry for your loss. We wish that we could be with you at this time but know that you are loved, missed, and thought of always! Love, Ward, Ang & kids JILL- Pat and I would like to express our deepest sympathy for the loss of your Father. He was an exemplary American who served his country, his family and his community with distinction. We are making a contribution to the Handi Shop in his honor. Tim McCaw Jon - we are so sorry to hear of the loss of your Father. Please know your Metro Family is thinking of you at this very sad time. Ellen Hontz & Family Jon I am so sorry for the loss of your father. You honor your father everyday with your integrity and your warm heart. Please know I am thinking of you and your family. Janet Zimmerman From time shared during Handi Shop Board meetings and committee meetings, I saw Bill's caring concern for the Handi Shop employees and staff--truly he will be missed. Extending sincere sympathy to Mr. Showers' family and friends...Carolyn Steinmetz Gary: We never met your father but we know you. Obviously he brought you up instilling in you the values he held dear: a love of family, country and life. We are proud to have you as our friend. Your endless empathy and selfless acts of kindness to others is a product of your upbringing. Your dad was a fine man. We offer you and your family our deepest sympathy for your loss. Sincerely, Joan and Ernie Klug Jon- Sorry to hear about the loss of your Father, I will be sure to keep him and your family in my prayers. Jim Dube Gary & Ann: Rob and I were so sorry to hear of your Father's passing. I know he had to have been so very proud of you. You show the world every day what a wonderful upbringing you had! No matter our age, we are always our parents child and it is a very hard loss. We love you and will keep you in our prayers. In love, Lee and Rob Whitener

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