Billy Gene Meese, age 87, of Crane, Missouri, passed away January 1, 2013, in Christian Health Care of Nixa. He was born October 20, 1925, in Springfield, the son of Levi and Lula (Samuels) Meese. Billy spent his younger years in California raising his family and working as a truck driver for an excavating company. Returning to Missouri, he retired as an asphalt worker, and then enjoyed working on his land near Crane. Billy was an active member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Springfield, where the members were like family to him. Survivors include his two children and their spouses, Gene and Margot Meese, and Jan and Bill Barnes, all of Fallbrook, California; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a sister, Betty Thomas, Springfield; and a brother Dale Meese, Modesto, California. Funeral services will be 3:00 PM Sunday, January 6, in Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 702 South Belview Avenue, Springfield. Burial will be at 2:00 PM Monday, January 7, in White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Springfield. Arrangements are under the direction of Adams Funeral Home, Nixa.