Earl R. "Bill" Standridge was born February 22, 1946 in Cairo, Illinois to the late Sam and Lois Standridge.

A U.S. Army veteran, having served in the Vietnam War from 1968-1969, Earl was retired from the Missouri National Guard and also the Army Ready Reserves with 34 years total.

Earl was employed by the Sikeston Public Schools in the Maintenance Department for 17 years and retired June 30, 2006.

He attended Tanner Street Church of God.

On June 11, 1966 he married Donna Duff at Sikeston, Missouri, she survives of the home.

He is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Jason and Jamie Standridge of Sikeston; one daughter, Amy Standridge of Sikeston; one granddaughter, Jaci Kay Standridge; and one grandson, Jeremiah Blaine Standridge.

He is also survived by three brothers, Kenneth Standridge of Dexter, MO, Sam Standridge of Paducah, KY, and Dwayne Standridge of Sikeston, MO; and one sister, Wanda Walters of Sikeston, MO.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Ed Standridge and Don Standridge; and five sisters, Marie Phillips, Ella Rainey, Coy Summers, Blanch Hardin, And Wilma Hasler.

Earl was a member of the SEMO Military Vehicle Preservation Group and enjoyed showing his 1955 Jeep Willy in shows and parades.

He was a member of the group, Fire Base Sikeston, that was instrumental in bringing the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall to Sikeston.

Earl also donated his time to Habitat for Humanity and delivered Meals on Wheels for the OAKES Nutrition Center.

Earl was the recipient of the 2016 Lieutenant Governor's Senior Service Award for being a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and also received Volunteer of the Year in 2019 from the Modern Woodsmen.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 13, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston, where funeral services will be held Thursday, April 14, at 10 a.m.

Burial will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield, Missouri.

Pallbearers will be John Standridge, Tim Smiley, Keith Standridge, Tim Wheetley, Tommy Standridge, Darryl Standridge, and Trey Weddington.

Honorary pallbearers will be Kenneth Walters Jr., Steve Standridge, Michael Duff, and Kenny Standridge Jr.