Ray Dean Bilyeu

Ray Dean Bilyeu of Nixa, Missouri, went to his eternal home to be with the Lord on Monday, June 2, 2014, at the age of 75. He was born October 16, 1938, in Walnut Shade, Missouri, the son of Lee and Muriel (Weatherman) Bilyeu. He was a graduate of Spokane High School. In June 1959, he was hired by the City Utilities of Springfield, where he served faithfully for more than 35 years in the water and customer service departments. He retired at the end of 1994 and began a new phase of life, enjoying being Grandpa (Papa) to his two grandchildren. He also then had more time to share a special gift he had for helping others. He was known at work, at church, and by family and friends as someone who they could count on to help whenever there was a need, or there was something broken that needed to be fixed. Ray was united in marriage to Darlene Back on February 6, 1960. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years; one daughter, Teresa, and husband Kenton, and their children, Kyle and Ashley of Springfield, Missouri; two brothers, Argel Bilyeu and wife Rita, and Roy Bilyeu and wife Janice, all of Ozark, Missouri; one brother-in-law, Bobby Back and wife Merel, of Reeds Spring, Missouri, and sister-in-law Linda Rainey and husband Johnny of Republic, Missouri. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Wilbur Bilyeu. Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday morning, June 5, at 10 a.m. at the Adams Funeral Home in Nixa, Mo. Visitation will be held Wednesday evening, June 4, from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Ray was a man of faith and loved to talk about the Lord-and particularly, heaven. Though he will be missed greatly by his family and friends, we rejoice in the confidence of knowing that he is now walking on streets of gold.