Billy Lafever

Billy LaFever, 86, passed away on Monday, November 20, 2017 in St. Louis, MO, surrounded by family. Graveside services and interment, with MILITARY HONORS, will be held Saturday December 30 at 11 a.m. at Cookeville City Cemetery. Father James Panackal will officiate. Billy was born on June 22, 1931 in Sparta, Tennessee, to the late Julia Evangeline Williams and Andrew Jackson LaFever. He was educated at White County Schools in Sparta and Putnam County Schools in Cookeville, graduating high school in 1949. He received a bachelor's degree from Tennessee Tech University in 1954, and later earned a master's degree from Boston University in 1974. A career in the U.S. Army took Lt. Colonel LaFever around the world including 2 tours of duty in Vietnam. While stationed in Germany in 1958, he met Suzanne Irene Schafer and began a love story that spanned almost 60 years and produced 5 children, 9 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. He dearly loved his family, most especially his Susie. He had a strong faith in God, and served God, country and family with distinction. He loved sports, especially football, which he played in both high school and college. He was a true trout slayer who enjoyed fly fishing with family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Suzanne LaFever, whom he married June 6, 1959, in Straubing, Germany; and five children, Julie (Bob) McGeorge of St. Charles, MO, Will (Lisa) LaFever of Wichita, KS, Robert (Karen) LaFever, Jim LaFever, and Patricia (Rob) Binek of St. Louis, MO; nine grandchildren, Shelley, Brian (Emreigh), Matthew, Patrick, Alyssa, Susie, Michael, Christopher and Thomas; and one great-grandchild, Max. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Andrew J. LaFever, and two sisters: Bernice Murphy and Rita Evans. The family will receive friends at Hooper-Huddleston & Horner funeral home Saturday at 10 am . until 10:45 a.m. Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, 526-6111. You may share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.