William Eugene Lovelace

William Eugene Lovelace of St. Louis, Missouri passed away on Tuesday, December 26, 2017 at St. Anthonys Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, having attained the age of 89 years, 7 months and 15 days.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri on May 11, 1928, he was the son of William and Dorothy Lovelace, nee Acksel. He was united in marriage to Zelda Mae Pryor on July 17, 1953 and she survives his passing.
My 89 year old father passed away last night. I was sitting next to him holding his hand as he took his last breath. Dad had been in the hospital seven times this year plus a long stint in rehab. This last trip to the hospital was eleven days with lung issues. He was on and off a Bi-Pap breathing machine and a vaportherm at 20 liters of oxygen at 100 percent. He was having a hard time. The last three times I visited him, he mentioned that he was ready to go. On the third time, it was Christmas Day. He asked me if I could pull some strings so he could have the plug pulled. I knew that the time was near so I had taken a flask of Jamison. My Dad, Dee (my wife) and I had a Christmas toast and I talked to the nurses to set the stage. I came to the hospital early the next day. I also brought a couple of beers. Dad had requested a nice cold beer before he went to meet his maker. Though I have drank many and more beers with my Dad over our lives, this was a beer with a friend and Father I will never forget. Though he knew he would never leave the hospital, as he was weak as a kitten and so vulnerable, he made a decision that it was time to pull the plug. With my sister (Mallory Bassham), my wife (Dee) and my cousin, Bob Lovelace, my Dad said whats the hold up and lets get the show on the road. Not to long after that he was gone and is hopefully walking the clean streets of Heaven with a youthful stride.
My Dad was the best hunting and fishing partner I will ever have. We worked hard hunting rabbits, quail, deer and squirrels. We fished trout. He was a diehard and very successful trout fisherman. Me, not so much. I only wished I would have fished with him more in his later years. Dad joined the Arnold Rifle and Pistol Club. He became the Shotgun Director and was instrumental in designing and getting built a five stand shooting range. Skeet shooting was also a passion of his and he shot 100 in a row on more than one occasion. My Dad joined the Missouri National Guard in 1946 and reached the rank of E-7, Platoon Sgt. His Battalion commander asked him to go to officer school and he commissioned and reached the rank of O-3, Captain. He was a member of the 138th Infantry Battalion, Straight Leg oufit. He retired in 1970. Dad worked for various manufacturing companies over the years and was a manufacturing engineer. Sometime in the early 70s he started teaching night school at South County Tech. He said he really loved teaching. When he was a young man he raced boats and go-carts. My Mom put an end to that after I was born. Speaking of Mom, they were married for 64 years. Dad and Mom had a wonderful daughter, my sister, lol, Mallory Bassham. Mallorys son, Jon Bassham, who my Dad thought the world of. Looking back on my years with my Dad, I like to think I was a good son. I wish I would have been better. Right now I have a huge hole in my heart. I know that time will lessen the pain, but I do miss him. If any of you get this far, thanks for reading. My Dad was a good man. I miss him.
Preceding him in death were his parents and his brother, Robert Lovelace.
Surviving are his wife, Zelda Mae Lovelace of St. Louis, Missouri; his children, William (Dorothy) Lovelace of Dittmer, Missouri and Mallory (Boyd) Bassham of Grapevine, Texas; his sister, Shirley Hrica; his grandchildren, Jonathan (Christine) Bassham of Dallas, Texas, Ken (Leah) Bassham of Springfield, Missouri, Alan (Melanie) Bassham of Kirkwood, Missouri and Brad (Koreen) Bassham of St. Genevieve, Missouri; his great-grandchildren, Jack, Bennett, Reagan, Duncan, Ethan, Maizie and Karley; nieces, nephews and many friends.
Memorials may be made to Missouri Conservation.
Friends may call on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. at Fey Funeral Home, 4100 Lemay Ferry Road, Mehlville, Missouri.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at 3:00 P.M. at the funeral home. A private interment will be held at a later date.
The Creason Funeral Home in Millstadt, Illinois is in charge of arrangements.