Billy Joe “B.J.” Chappell, age 90, of Washburn, Missouri passed away Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Roaring River Health and Rehab in Cassville, Missouri.
He was born November 19, 1933, in Washburn, Missouri the son of Ed and Lois Ellen (Edens) Chappell.
On July 20, 1957 in Cassville, Missouri he was united in marriage to Mary Elizabeth “Liz” McCord, who survives. Also surviving are one son, Bobby Chappell of Rogers, Arkansas; one daughter, Malinda Cockrum and her husband Jeff of Washburn, Missouri; 6 grandchildren, Eric Chappell and his wife Robyn, Ryan Chappell and his wife Regan, Kyle Chappell and his wife Olivia, Rachel Chappell, Tyler Cockrum and Jason Cockrum and his wife Shelbi and 6 great grandchildren with one on the way.
Preceding him in death were his parents and daughter-in-law, Kathy L. Chappell.
B.J. grew up and attended school in Washburn, Missouri graduating from Washburn High School. After graduation he moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma where he was employed by Carnation as a route salesman for 2 years before moving to Kansas City, Missouri where he worked as a carpenter for 2 years. He then joined the United States Army during the Korean War and was stationed in Alabama. Upon returning to Cassville, he worked a few jobs before becoming an insurance salesman for AAA which led to B.J. opening Chappell’s Insurance in Washburn and Cassville which he operated until his retirement in the early 1990s. B.J. served one term as Barry County Southern Commissioner and was an outstanding baseball player, playing for the Cassville Blues. He enjoyed trading cars, traveling, watching St. Louis Cardinals baseball, Kansas City Chiefs football and Mizzou basketball but most of all he loved his family and spending time with them. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Cassville.
Gravesideserviceswere held at 10 A.M. Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at King Cemetery in Seligman, Missouri, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Pastor Jeff Allee and Garret Akin conducted the services.
The family received friends from 6:00 until 7:00 P.M. Monday at Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.
Contributions may be made to Fair Haven Children’s Home in memory of B.J.
