Willie Dave (Bill) Lester

Funeral services for Willie Dave (Bill) Lester, 86, Bakersfield, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, December 14, 2023, at Bakersfield First Baptist Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.    

Mr. Lester passed away at 9:32 a.m., Saturday, December 9, 2023, at his home.  

He was born May 17, 1937, to Roy Lester and Johnnie Pemberton Lester.  On April 1, 1959, he was married at Salem, Arkansas, to Eva Mullins, who preceded him in death on March 6, 2013.  Bill enjoyed sports and especially enjoyed watching his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren participate.  He loved having his home filled with his family and many friends who felt like family.  Mr. Lester was a member of Bakersfield First Baptist Church for many years.

He is survived by four children, Lee Lester and wife, Tresa, Viola, Arkansas, John Lester and wife, Terena, Bakersfield, Missouri, Louisa Hudson and husband, Duane, Estes Park, Colorado and David Lester and wife, Lisa, Bakersfield, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Matt Lester and wife, Courtney, Troy Lester and wife, Lia, Stacie Tackitt and husband, Anthony, Stephanie  Mitchell and husband, Logan, Corby James and wife, Charity, Claire Haney and husband, Gavin, Makenzie Lester and Clint Lester and wife, Kirsten; thirteen great-grandchildren; one sister, Cora Sell, Springfield, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Sandra Fagan, Cape Coral, Florida, one special niece, Janice Asher, West Plains, Missouri; and several other nieces and nephews. 

His parents, wife, one great-grandson, one brother, two brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law, preceded him in death.  

Visitation services will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be at Fore Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Fore Cemetery or Bakersfield First Baptist Church and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.