On January 8, 2022, Bill Litchford passed away at Saint Francis Medical Center.  Billy Dean Litchford was born in Sikeston, Missouri, on June 22, 1936, the son of Sidney David and Lorene (Warbritton) Litchford, both of whom preceded him in death.

On December 13, 1958, Bill married the love of his life, Velma Crawford, of Sikeston.  They were married almost 62 years, until her death in 2020.  Together, Bill and Velma have three daughters: Constance Diane, who died as a young child; Natalie (Larry) Tidwell of Sikeston; and Paula (Daniel) Davis of Indiana.  Bill has two granddaughters: Tabitha Morrison of Sikeston, and Kristi Tidwell of St. Louis; and four great-granddaughters: Taylor Tidwell, Sacilia Hearron, Daliylah Riley, and Aurora Riley.

Bill retired from the Sikeston Board of Municipal Utilities, where he worked in the Electrical Department for many years.  He was an avid landscaper and horticulturist.  He was also passionate about music, excelling at singing and playing the guitar and keyboards while dabbling on the mandolin and violin.

He is preceded in death by three sisters: Helen Taylor Culp, Maxine "Mickey" Young, and Carol Adams; and one brother: John "Red" Litchford.

While we miss Bill immensely, he is now at peace after suffering from severe illness and the loss of his dearly beloved wife.  Bill will be cremated and laid to rest beside Velma in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston, under the direction of Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston.

No formal funeral services are planned.