William Gene "Billy" Plank was born in Salem, Mo., April 30, 1935. He was the son of Theodore Roosevelt and Virginia Capps Plank. A brother, Thomas, blessed the family with his arrival a few years later and thus commenced many happy years of family life in Salem. Bill was possessed of a quick wit and an insatiable curiosity for all things academic. He went off to University of Missouri at Columbia at the age of 17 and embarked upon a lifetime of learning and teaching. After earning a Master's Degree in French at the University, Bill decided to fulfill his dream of living in the Wild West and obtained a teaching position in Hardin, Montana. After a year there, he was off to California, even further west, and taught in various elementary schools, eventually securing a three-year position teaching high school in the Yakima Valley. Wishing to pursue further studies in French, Bill applied to and was accepted into the French Literature program as a doctoral candidate at the University of Washington in Seattle. He was awarded his Ph.D. with highest honors in 1972.
Having finished all of his studies, Bill remained at Montana State University-Billings for forty-plus years, teaching over 5,000 students, many of whom greeted him in the streets of Billings or at the grocery store having remembered with great fondness their classes with him even 30 or 40 years previous. Bill was first and foremost a teacher, but his many scholarly pursuits include three published books, Sartre and Surrealism, Gulag 65, and Quantum Nietzsche, along with almost 300 research papers which he presented through the years around the country.
At Montana State University, Bill conceived of a program to bring lecturers of world-class quality to Billings. He had a way with words and always an offer of a trip through Yellowstone Park and managed to gift Billings with the presence of outstanding visiting scholars. The lectures became a fixture on campus and the program went on for eleven years until ill health forced Bill to give up his participation.
At a time of financial difficulties for the state, Bill proposed a reorganization of the University system, which at that time was composed of five major units and several community colleges. The changes Bill proposed went into effect, and the present Montana State University-Billings owes its name to Bill who came to the institution when it was named in fact "Eastern Montana College."
Many wonderful friends survive Bill. Richard McKamy, his mountain climbing buddy, Robert Garretson, a fellow wilderness lover, Tom Regele, Bill Gibson and Neil Jussila. Bill's very best friend, his dog, Django (named after the famous guitarist Django Rinehart), survives him but barely. His beloved upright piano afforded Bill many happy hours both in the company of his good friends and during solitary hours at home. He was a gifted and knowledgeable pianist who played entirely by ear and could answer almost any request to play an old song or ditty.
Bill passed away Tuesday, April 27, 2010, and leaves behind his wife, Darrah Link Plank; his son, Theodore R. Belcher; daughter Bianca; daughter Shannon; son Gabriel Louis (Renee); daughter Darrah Anne; and brother, Ministor Thomas Plank (Carol) of Jefferson. Grandchildren Hawkeye, Thorne, Meadowlark, and Floriane and niece Andrea and nephews Christopher and Michael also survive Bill. Aunt Pearl Wells and Uncle Cleo Plank survive their nephew, Bill.
A memorial service in Salem will be held Saturday, May 29, 2010, at Cedar Grove Cemetery at 4 p.m., with dinner to follow.
In honor of Bill's academic life, gifts may be sent to the Montana State University-Billings Foundation, 2615 Virginia Lane, Billings, Montana 59101. Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary in Billings, Montana was in charge of arrangements and condolences may be left for the family at www.michelottisawyers.com.
Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, Billings, Mont., is in charge of arrangements
Entries from May 2010
Irene Lemley
GAINESVILLE – Irene Lemley, 90, died Friday, April 30, 2010, following a period of declining health.
Born in Jackson County where she had lived most of her life, she was the daughter of the late William Monroe and Jessie Freeman Mote. She was retired from Wilkens Industries and was a member of Oconee Baptist Church. She was a loving mother and grandmother loved ones stated. Mrs. Lemley was preceded in death by her husband, Woodrow Lemley; daughter, Doris Lord; and two grandchildren.
Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Peggy and Robert Smith, Gainesville, Martha Jo and Lester LeCompte, Plainfield, Ind.; brother, Ralph Mote, Pendergrass; sisters, Selma Sexton, Cumming, Mildred Brumbalow, Pendergrass; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Sunday, May 2, from the chapel of Ward’s Funeral Home with the Revs. Milton Harris and Douglas Merck officiating. Burial was in Center Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.
Ward’s Funeral Home, Gainesville, was in charge of arrangements.
Born in Jackson County where she had lived most of her life, she was the daughter of the late William Monroe and Jessie Freeman Mote. She was retired from Wilkens Industries and was a member of Oconee Baptist Church. She was a loving mother and grandmother loved ones stated. Mrs. Lemley was preceded in death by her husband, Woodrow Lemley; daughter, Doris Lord; and two grandchildren.
Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Peggy and Robert Smith, Gainesville, Martha Jo and Lester LeCompte, Plainfield, Ind.; brother, Ralph Mote, Pendergrass; sisters, Selma Sexton, Cumming, Mildred Brumbalow, Pendergrass; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Sunday, May 2, from the chapel of Ward’s Funeral Home with the Revs. Milton Harris and Douglas Merck officiating. Burial was in Center Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.
Ward’s Funeral Home, Gainesville, was in charge of arrangements.
‘Mama Ann’ Spires
HOMER – Elizabeth “Mama Ann” Spires, 66, died Wednesday, April 28, 2010, at BJC Hospital in Commerce.
Born in Bibb County, she was the daughter of the late T. Hobart and Margaret Elizabeth Terry Durden. Mrs. Spires was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Gregory Spires.
Survivors include a sister, Rebecca Simmons; nieces and nephew, Sheila Dixon, Kristin Simmons and Jason Kennedy; four great-nieces and nephews; and good friends Jo Anne Tomlinson, Winford Bales, Wayne Dixon, Kate Bennett and Tony Meeks.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, May 22, at 1 p.m., from the Community Chapel Church in Jefferson with Loy Reed officiating. The body was cremated.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Bibb County, she was the daughter of the late T. Hobart and Margaret Elizabeth Terry Durden. Mrs. Spires was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Gregory Spires.
Survivors include a sister, Rebecca Simmons; nieces and nephew, Sheila Dixon, Kristin Simmons and Jason Kennedy; four great-nieces and nephews; and good friends Jo Anne Tomlinson, Winford Bales, Wayne Dixon, Kate Bennett and Tony Meeks.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, May 22, at 1 p.m., from the Community Chapel Church in Jefferson with Loy Reed officiating. The body was cremated.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Eleanor Hood
WINDER – Eleanor Hood, 85, died Sunday, May 2, 2010.
She was the daughter of the late Carl E. Wade and Inez Wade Evans of Phenix City, Ala., and was a homemaker and of the Baptist denomination. Mrs. Hood was preceded in death by husbands, Brady B. Bynum and Ben Hood; and a brother, Joseph Wade Sr.
Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia A. and Ronald Offutt; Yvonne L. and Leonard Guy, all of Hoschton, and Karen E. and Marty Wood, Morganton, N.C.; sister, Faith Edwards, Columbus; grandchildren, Ryan L. Offutt, Winder, Jason S. and Andraya Offutt, Bend Ore., Jennifer L. and William David, Braselton, Julie A. and Carlos Munoz, Winder, Michael D. and Crissy Fincher, Nebo, N.C.; great-grandchildren, Rhianna Kennedy, Braselton, Mackenzie Fincher, Nebo, N.C., Ethan Offutt, Emily Munoz and Kaitlyn Offutt, all of Winder and Tatum Offutt, Bend, Ore.
Private memorial services will be held at a later date.
Carter Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
She was the daughter of the late Carl E. Wade and Inez Wade Evans of Phenix City, Ala., and was a homemaker and of the Baptist denomination. Mrs. Hood was preceded in death by husbands, Brady B. Bynum and Ben Hood; and a brother, Joseph Wade Sr.
Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia A. and Ronald Offutt; Yvonne L. and Leonard Guy, all of Hoschton, and Karen E. and Marty Wood, Morganton, N.C.; sister, Faith Edwards, Columbus; grandchildren, Ryan L. Offutt, Winder, Jason S. and Andraya Offutt, Bend Ore., Jennifer L. and William David, Braselton, Julie A. and Carlos Munoz, Winder, Michael D. and Crissy Fincher, Nebo, N.C.; great-grandchildren, Rhianna Kennedy, Braselton, Mackenzie Fincher, Nebo, N.C., Ethan Offutt, Emily Munoz and Kaitlyn Offutt, all of Winder and Tatum Offutt, Bend, Ore.
Private memorial services will be held at a later date.
Carter Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
Richard Durnell
BETHLEHEM – Richard Eugene Durnell, 70, died Saturday, May 1, 2010.
A native of New Castle, Pa. and a retired truck driver, he was the son of the late Lawrence and Ellen Carlstrom Durnell. Mr. Durnell was preceded in death by a daughter, Julie Ann Durnell, and a brother, Gary Durnell.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara Durnell, Bethlehem; daughters, Carrie O’Neill and Amy Harrison, both of Suwanee; son, Richard E. Durnell, Jefferson; and seven grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Monday, May 3 from the chapel of Carter Funeral Home with the Revs. Robert Whatley and Jamie Butler officiating. Burial was in White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Duluth.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Brain Injury Association, 1608 Spring Hill Road, Suite 110, Vienna, VA 22182, www.Biausa.org/donations.htm.
Carter Funeral Home, Winder, was in charge of arrangements.
A native of New Castle, Pa. and a retired truck driver, he was the son of the late Lawrence and Ellen Carlstrom Durnell. Mr. Durnell was preceded in death by a daughter, Julie Ann Durnell, and a brother, Gary Durnell.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara Durnell, Bethlehem; daughters, Carrie O’Neill and Amy Harrison, both of Suwanee; son, Richard E. Durnell, Jefferson; and seven grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Monday, May 3 from the chapel of Carter Funeral Home with the Revs. Robert Whatley and Jamie Butler officiating. Burial was in White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Duluth.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Brain Injury Association, 1608 Spring Hill Road, Suite 110, Vienna, VA 22182, www.Biausa.org/donations.htm.
Carter Funeral Home, Winder, was in charge of arrangements.
Bertha Beard
DANIELSVILLE – Bertha Lunsford Beard, 93, died Saturday, May 1, 2010 at her home.
Born in Royston on May 25, 1916, she was the daughter of the late Cornealious and Estelle James Lunsford. She was a homemaker and member of the Bluestone Baptist Church. Mrs. Beard was preceded in death by her husband, Dupree Beard; son, Garland Beard; son-in-law, Jerry Hart; brothers, Albert, Robert and Ralph Lunsford; and sisters, Agatha Crump and Ella Mae Bray.
Survivors include daughter, Elena Hart, Danielsville; grandchildren and spouses, Brian (Karen) Beard, Gregory (Janet) Beard and Karen Hart Myers; step-grandchild, Steven Fleeman; great-grandchildren, Nathan (Leigh Anne) Myers, Brandon Myers, Matthew Beard, Gage Beard and Cade Beard; brothers, Julian Lunsford, Kannapolis, N.C. and Woodrow Lunsford, Canon; and sister, LaRue Orr, Winder.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 4, at the Pruitt Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Susan Taylor officiating. Burial will follow in the Pennington Chapel United Methodist Church cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, May 3, at the funeral home. The family is at the home of Mrs. Elena Hart, 4831 Highway 174, Danielsville, GA 30633
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jones Chapel UMC, 5601 Highway 29 North, Danieslville, GA 30633
Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, is in charge of arrangements
Born in Royston on May 25, 1916, she was the daughter of the late Cornealious and Estelle James Lunsford. She was a homemaker and member of the Bluestone Baptist Church. Mrs. Beard was preceded in death by her husband, Dupree Beard; son, Garland Beard; son-in-law, Jerry Hart; brothers, Albert, Robert and Ralph Lunsford; and sisters, Agatha Crump and Ella Mae Bray.
Survivors include daughter, Elena Hart, Danielsville; grandchildren and spouses, Brian (Karen) Beard, Gregory (Janet) Beard and Karen Hart Myers; step-grandchild, Steven Fleeman; great-grandchildren, Nathan (Leigh Anne) Myers, Brandon Myers, Matthew Beard, Gage Beard and Cade Beard; brothers, Julian Lunsford, Kannapolis, N.C. and Woodrow Lunsford, Canon; and sister, LaRue Orr, Winder.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 4, at the Pruitt Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Susan Taylor officiating. Burial will follow in the Pennington Chapel United Methodist Church cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, May 3, at the funeral home. The family is at the home of Mrs. Elena Hart, 4831 Highway 174, Danielsville, GA 30633
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jones Chapel UMC, 5601 Highway 29 North, Danieslville, GA 30633
Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, is in charge of arrangements
‘Billie’ Nunnally
BOGART - Jessie W. “Billie” Nunnally, 86, died Wednesday, April 28, 2010.
A native of Bogart, she was the daughter of the late Gordon and Pearl Teal Watson. She was a graduate of Bogart High School and Athens Business College, retired from the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service and was a longtime member of Bogart Baptist Church. Mrs. Nunnally was preceded in death by her husband, Gilbert Nunnally; son, Ronnie Nunnally; sisters, Helen Payne and Rudy Watson; and brothers, Garrell and Julian Watson.
Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Bill and Melissa Nunnally, Winder and Wesley and Becky Nunnally, Watkinsville; grandchildren, Grant and Tess Nunnally, Allison and Scott Kirk, Cassie and Chris Ruis; great-grandchildren, Seth Kirk, Ansley Nunnally, Will Nunnally and Reese Ruis; and niece Paula Payne.
A graveside service was held Friday, April 30, at Bogart Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Ted Tedder officiating. Memorials may be made to Bogart Baptist Church.
Oconee Chapel Funeral Directors, Watkinsville, was in charge of arrangements.
A native of Bogart, she was the daughter of the late Gordon and Pearl Teal Watson. She was a graduate of Bogart High School and Athens Business College, retired from the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service and was a longtime member of Bogart Baptist Church. Mrs. Nunnally was preceded in death by her husband, Gilbert Nunnally; son, Ronnie Nunnally; sisters, Helen Payne and Rudy Watson; and brothers, Garrell and Julian Watson.
Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Bill and Melissa Nunnally, Winder and Wesley and Becky Nunnally, Watkinsville; grandchildren, Grant and Tess Nunnally, Allison and Scott Kirk, Cassie and Chris Ruis; great-grandchildren, Seth Kirk, Ansley Nunnally, Will Nunnally and Reese Ruis; and niece Paula Payne.
A graveside service was held Friday, April 30, at Bogart Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Ted Tedder officiating. Memorials may be made to Bogart Baptist Church.
Oconee Chapel Funeral Directors, Watkinsville, was in charge of arrangements.
Expressions of sympathy