Buddy Dennis

William Eugene “Buddy” Dennis, of Brookfield, MO., formerly of Higbee, departed this life on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at Harry S. Truman Veterans Hospital in Columbia, MO.

He was born on December 20, 1943 at Mexico, MO., to William Marvin and Pearl Jessie Sanders Dennis.  Buddy grew up in the Laddonia-Mexico area and moved to Higbee with his father in 1949.  He lived with his father until his father’s death in 1962.

Buddy attended school at Higbee and worked at Orscheln Farm and Home in Moberly.  Then he later ran a milk collection route for Donald Robb in Macon County.

Buddy served in the U. S. Army Engineers from 1965 to October 29, 1967, completing his service in Vietnam.  He went to Barber College in Sacramento, CA., and was a barber for 5 years.

Buddy was a professional truck driver and drove all over the United States for 29 years.  During that period he was also a bare-back horse rider in many rodeos, residing in the state of Oregon for 20 years.

In 2004 he returned to Moberly to assist with the care of his former school teacher, Mrs. Doris Griffin, until she died on May 20, 2009.

He recalled his teenage years in Higbee when he was called “Shotgun” because he was always riding in the front passenger seat in cars.

Buddy was preceded in death by his father and several other relatives including a step-brother,  A cousin, Joe Bill Dennis, of Higbee died in 2013.

He is survived by his mother who lives in Rocklin CA., and by five cousins as well as five nephews – Norman, Phil, David, Brian, and Gary Dennis.  His cousins living in the Higbee area are J. D., Ronnie, Sammie, and Mike Dennis, as well as Judy Burala in Centralia, MO, Suzanne Rowley in Iowa, and Marcia Dennis in Reno, NV.  Buddy’s special friend, Glenda Quinn of Brookfield, MO., also survives.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 P.M., Monday December 15, 2014 at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville, MO. Chaplain James Bolin will officiate.   Memorials may be given to the Higbee Senior Citizens.  Share condolences and stories with the family online at www.heartlandcremation.com.