William R. “Bill” Irwin

William Richard “Bill” Irwin was born December 16, 1944 in Lafayette, Texas and departed this life on September 10, 2020, at the age of 75 years, 8 months and 24 days.

He was the son of Myron Richard “Dick” and Mary Louise (Weer) Irwin.

Bill spent most of his lifetime in Pleasant Hill, Missouri, graduating from Pleasant Hill High School in 1962. While playing basketball for Pleasant Hill High School, he was named 1^st Team All-Conference and 1^st Team All-Metro for the 1961-62 basketball season.

After graduation, Bill attended the University of Texas Western in El Paso, Texas and Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas. Bill proudly served his country from 1966 -68 in the United States Army during the Vietnam War as a U.S. Army MP. After his honorable discharge from the Army, Bill returned to Pleasant Hill and worked alongside his parents at the Colonial Poultry Farms Headquarters in Pleasant Hill, Missouri. Colonial Poultry Farms, Inc. was one of the first and largest business in Pleasant Hill, gaining a nationwide reputation of excellence in their field. Because of Colonial Poultry Farms significant importance to the commerce of Pleasant Hill and the many generous contributions to the community, Pleasant Hill Schools adopted the Roosters and Chicks for the school mascots. In his later years, Bill worked for and retired from the United States Postal Service.

On August 18, 1973, Bill was united in marriage with the love of his life, Phyllis Sue Smith in Everett, Missouri and to this union two children, Michelle and Bill were born.

Bill was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Pleasant Hill where he finished earning his Eagle Scout Award by helping wire the audio system in the original Presbyterian Church. Bill also served on the board of the Pleasant Hill Cemetery Association for several years.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Myron “Dick” and Mary (Weer) Irwin, and his sister, Mary Lucinda “Cindy” (Irwin) Kiefer.

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis (Smith) Irwin of the home; his daughter, Michelle (Irwin) Milbrodt and husband Paul of Neenah, Wisconsin; his son, William “Bill” Irwin, II and wife Sally of Pleasant Hill, Missouri; “The Lights of His Life”, his precious grandchildren, Wesley Irwin, Laura Irwin and Brayden Milbrodt.

A private Celebration of Life Service with Full Military Honors provided by the United States Army and V.F.W. Post #3118 Honor Guard of Pleasant Hill, will be held at a later date.

In Memory of William Richard “Bill” Irwin, the family suggests contributions to V.F.W. Post #3118 of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, and may be sent in care of the Wallace Funeral Home.