Rev. William (Bill) Pitts, Sr., son of Ruby Tunnell Pitts of El Reno, Okla., and the late James Robert Pitts, Sr., was born on Aug. 16, 1941, in Oklahoma City, Okla., and died in the Golden Living Center in Dexter on Sept. 3, 2012, at the age
of 71.
Rev. Pitts was a minister in the Assembly Of God Church for 41 years, pastoring churches in Missouri, Texas and Oklahoma. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force, an Eagle Scout and recipient of the Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver Award.
He was united in marriage to Lenora Ann Long on Jan. 5, 1961, in Worthington. Mrs. Pitts preceded him in death on Jan. 26, 2007.
He is survived by one son, William E. Pitts Jr., of El Reno, Okla.; by three daughters, Ruby Lenora Pitts of Kansas City, Billie Shelton of Dexter and Lisa Renee Marsh of Columbia; by his mother, Ruby Pitts of El Reno, Okla.; by two brothers, Roy Allen Pitts of Edmond, Okla., and Thomas Edward Pitts of El Reno, Okla.; by one sister, Sally Sue Sims of Lawton, Okla.; by 11 grandchildren; and by six great-grandchildren.
Besides his wife and father, he was preceded in death by one brother, James Robert Pitts, Jr.
Visitation will be held at the Glad Tidings Assembly Of God Church in Moberly from 6 until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012. Funeral services will then be conducted at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in the Glad Tidings Assembly Of God Church with Rev. Manuel Shultz officiating.
Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville with full military honors.
Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home of Dexter is in charge of arrangements.