Willis Coy Mushrush
Funeral services for Willis Coy Mushrush, 84, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 9, 2012, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Mushrush died at 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 3, 2012, at West Vue Nursing Center.
He was born October 5, 1927, at Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, to William Ernest Mushrush and Eva Jones Mushrush. On April 14, 1949, he was married at Hocomo, Missouri, to Ruby Joyce. He was a veteran having served with the United States Army. Mr. Mushrush was of the Baptist Faith and was a member of First Baptist Church for many years.
Mr. Mushrush was a lifelong educator and local area businessman. He held a BS in Education in 1955 from Southwest Missouri State, Springfield, Missouri and MS for Teachers in 1964 from University of Missouri, Rolla, Missouri and Education Specialist in 1975 from University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas. He had taught at Labette County High School, Altamont, Kansas, West Plains High School, Willow Springs Schools, and Southwest Missouri State University, West Plains. He had been a director for Central Ozark Economic Opportunity Corporation, owner of J. W. Mushrush and Company and was a past member of Missouri State Teachers Association, Missouri Council of Administrators of Special Education, Missouri Council of Mathematics Teachers, West Plains Community Teachers Association, West Plains Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Community Action Directors Association andCurriculum Directors Association. Mr. Mushrush was instrumental in starting the Headstart Program in West Plains which was a pilot program for Headstart nationwide.
He is survived by his wife, Ruby Mushrush, of the family home; two sons, Willis Mushrush, Jr., wife, Lisa, and Jack Eugene Mushrush; five grandchildren, Zackary, Jacob, Chandler and Nicholas Mushrush and Courtney Jacobson, husband, Brian; one great-grandson, Theodore; two brothers, Roy Mushrush, wife, Midge, Bakersfield, California and Willard Mushrush, Riverside, California; three sisters, Geraldine Goetting, Fresno, California, Cleeon Hawkins and Lola Wade, husband, Gene, Tehachapi, California; two brothers-in-law, Bob Joyce, wife, Pat and Bill Joyce, wife, Mary Ann; all of West Plains, Missouri; “Special” grandchildren, Nathan, Heather and Erin Callahan; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
His parents, one brother, Chester, one sister, Jean, mother-in-law and father-in-law, and four brothers-in-law, precede him in death.
Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m., until 8:00 p.m., Sunday, July 8, 2012, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Amy Union Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Amy Cemetery or charity of choice, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Paulette Dulude
July 5, 2012 @ 4:00 pm
My deepest sympathy to you Ruby, Willis,Jack, and all the mushrush Family. Coy will be sorely missed by all of us .Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you in your time of sorrow.May God Bless and Keep you always.
Love,
Pat & Paulette Dulude ,and all the Arkansas cousins
Kenneth Hand
July 5, 2012 @ 8:44 pm
So sorry to hear of Mr. Mushrush;s Passing, I was a student of his and also Mrs. Mushrush. I have fond memories of him from my high school days. My condolonce to his family.
Frances West
July 5, 2012 @ 10:35 pm
Williss and family….
So sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Joe Paul Evans
July 6, 2012 @ 2:33 pm
Thinking of your family. So sorry for your loss. Joe Paul Evans
Martie Martin Burney
July 6, 2012 @ 3:19 pm
Mr. Mushrush was such a wonderful teacher and role model for those of us who loved
mathematics. He was such an inspiration for those of us who tried to follow in his footsteps as
math educators. My thoughts and prayers are for his family and all of us whose lives he
touched.
Norie
July 6, 2012 @ 3:48 pm
He was the sweet, kind and gentle soul and I loved listening to him talk. I have lots of memories of family vacations going to visit you in Mo. and lots of memories of you visiting and bringing Courtney to Calif. I was blessed to be able to bring my children and Grandchildren to visit you.
Aunt Ruby you are loved by us all and i wish we were closer to hug you and help you through this. My heart breaks for you and your family but he is at peace and in the hands of the lord. I love you and I wish i could be there with you!
Eldon & Margaret Mushrush
July 8, 2012 @ 11:22 am
Ruby and Boys, Sorry to hear of Coy’s passing, you guys have always been special in my heart.
We will not be able to attend the service, but our prayers are with you. May God Bless.
Alice Vandergriff
July 8, 2012 @ 1:24 pm
We are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Michael & Orilla Crider
July 8, 2012 @ 5:46 pm
Sorry to hear of your loss. Michael was a students of Mrs. Mushrush’s. Our prayers are with you.
Bob & Martha (Montgomery) Anderson
July 10, 2012 @ 3:10 pm
Ruby and family. we extend our sincere sympathies to you and your family. Remembering Mr. Mushrush’s high school teaching in the ’60s and your friendship when I was teacher aide at Reese and taught at Carmichael. May God bring comfort to you and your family.
Bob & Martha (Montgomery) Anderson
July 10, 2012 @ 3:18 pm
Ruby & family, we extend our sincere sympathies to your and your family. Remembering his high school teaching in the ’60s and your friendship when I was teacher aide at Reese and taught at Carmichael.
Catherine Bell
October 12, 2012 @ 1:07 am
sorry for your loss what a wonderful teacher and example he was. I was a student of his at SMSU God bless