WILLIAM ‘BILL’ BUCKNER

William E. (Bill) Buckner, Jr., 74 of Canton, Missouri and formerly of rural LaBelle, died November 10, 2023 at the Lewis County Nursing Home in Canton.

The son of William and Edna Robbins Buckner, Sr. was born on October 26, 1949 at Hannibal, Missouri. He was united in marriage to Marsha Smelser on June 5, 1976 at Springfield, Illinois.

Bill retired from United Parcel Service in December of 2000 after 26 years.  His route was in Liberty, rural Quincy, Perry, Griggsville, Versailles, Chambersburg, Illinois.  Later he drove a school bus for Lewis County C-1 School District in Ewing, Missouri.  

Bill was a 1967 graduate of Quincy High School.  He was a three sport letterman, Honorable Mention All-State in football and basketball. He went on to attend Culver-Stockton College on a football and baseball scholarship. He received an Honorable Mention in NAIA All-American in football and All-Conference in baseball.  He was inducted into the Culver-Stockton Hall of Fame in 1999.

He raised quarter horses for years, then raised and showed New Zealand Red and New Zealand White Rabbits with his son, Tyronne.  He loved being outdoors, hunting, fishing and mushroom hunting.

He is survived by his wife Marsha Buckner of Palmyra, Mo.; step-son, Troy Stuke of Connecticut, a daughter, Trina (Dale) Karl of Canton, Mo. and a son, W. Tyrone Buckner of LaBelle, Mo.; four grandchildren, Joshua (Christina) Baumgartner, Kelsey (Jason) Benavides, Autin Karl and Zachary Karl; and several nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, a brother, Greg Buckner and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Northeast Missouri or the Donor’s Choice which may be mailed to Arnold’s Funeral Home, 1100 White St., Canton, MO  63435.