Billy Goodman

Billy Leslie Goodman was born April 2, 1927 in Fornfelt, MO to Elves Lesley Goodman and Ethel Viola (Young) Goodman. He died in Sacramento, CA November 15, 2017.  He was educated in Illmo schools and joined the Marine Corps in 1945, retiring as a Gunnery Sergeant in 1965.  In 1952, he married Helen Ann Bonskowski, who died in 2007.  After moving to Thailand, he married Waraphorn Chairak in 2009.  She survives in Thailand.

Billy was very proud of his Marine Corps service.  He fought in Korea where he was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star with Combat “V”.  His service included two tours as an advisor, to the Korean Marine Corps and the Royal Thai Marine Corps.  After retiring from the Marine Corps, he served in Vietnam as a Foreign Service Officer of the U. S. Department of State until 1968.

He then worked for the Cotton Belt Railroad until he retired.  After retiring, he moved to Jefferson City in 1989 and was a member of Samuel F. Gearhart Detachment 656 Marine Corps League .

He is survived by his wife Waraphorn; a son, William (Patricia) Goodman of Festus and three daughters, Marianne (Greg) Jones of Jefferson City, Anita (Scott) Hanna of Carlsbad, CA and Patricia (Sooner) Goodman of Sacramento, CA.  There are six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by two sisters, Virginia Dahms and Janet (Larry) Bockting; a brother, Joe (Barb) Goodman and sister-in-law, Jean Ann Goodman.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Bob Goodman and a sister, Betty Alice Medved.

Visitation will be from 5:00 – 8:00 pm on Thursday, November 30, 2017 at the Amick-Burnett Chapel in Scott City and from 1:00 – 1:30 pm on Friday, December 1, 2017 at the chapel.

Graveside service will be at 2:00 pm on Friday, December 1, 2017 at the Lightner Cemetery in Scott City with full military honors.

Memorials should be made to the 1st Marine Division Association or the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.