Robert William "Bill" Conner

Robert William "Bill" Conner, 72, of Martinsburg, died at 6:57 p.m., Sunday October 25, 2015, at his home, in Martinsburg. He had been in poor health for the last several months.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Bill was born August 28, 1943, in Pittsfield, Pike County, Illinois, the son of Arthur William "Bill" and Mary Elizabeth (Boots) Conner. He lived most of his life in the Pike and Montgomery counties of Missouri. Bill worked from the time he got out of high school until a few years ago and always preferred work that was outdoors whether it was working on a farm growing crops, working with animals or as a mechanic.

Bill was married in June 1960 to Alice McDaniel. In January 1970 he married Shirley Ash. Both survive. In August 1986, he and Joy DeSutter became life partners and married June 13, 2001.

Surviving are his wife Joy, his siblings and their spouses, Kenneth Conner and wife Janice Louisiana, Mo., and Carolyne Conner Puskas and husband Don of Pittsburg, Pa. Bill had no children of his own but he and Shirley were fortunate to have the opportunity to raise William Eugene Spriggs "Billy Gene" who is from Louisiana, from infancy to adulthood. In addition, nieces, nephews and many friends are left to grieve his passing.

He was preceded in death by his father, Bill on October 27, 1986 and his mother Mary, on October 21, 2007.

Expressions of sympathy may be given at pickeringfh.com