William Marion Shrimplin Jr.

William Marion Shrimplin Jr., Nevada, Mo., passed from this life on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015, at Nevada Nursing and Rehab Center at the age of 83.

Marion was born on Jan. 25, 1931, to William Marion and Anna Irene (Campbell) Shrimplin, in Moundville, Mo. He graduated from Bronaugh High School in 1949. After working at Pryor & Oberlin Supermarket and Safeway Supermarket, he spent 40 years as a sales representative for Henry Kraft Mercantile, of Nevada, before retiring in December 1994.

Marion was a member of the Moundville United Methodist Church and the Nevada United Methodist Church during his lifetime. He was choir director many years at the Moundville Methodist Church. He was a Boy Scout in his youth and served in a leadership role as a young adult. He was active in many community organizations including Nevada Lions Club, ReAct Club, Nevada Camera Club, CCPA Choir, and Vernon County Senior Center. He served the community for more than 70 years as a musician. While still in high school, he played guitar and sang on his own radio show at the local Nevada radio station. Later, he served as President of the Musicians Union Fort Scott, Kan., Local and, most recently, as President of Marmaton Valley Old Time Pickers & Singers.

He was a member of many bands through the years playing drums for Gordon Elliott, of Iola, Kan., and The Blue Blazers, a local Nevada band. In recent years he went back to the guitar, taking lessons to improve himself, and finished his music career playing in local bands such as The Crazy Eight. He spent many hours entertaining the community and, in particular, residents at area nursing homes. He was honored with a resolution by the Missouri House of Representatives in 2012 recognizing his contribution to the quality of life in Vernon County through music.

In addition to making music, he enjoyed photography, rooting for the KC Royals and Nevada Griffins, bowling, and traveling. He particularly loved the mountains of Colorado.

He married Wanda Harleman, of Nevada, Mo., on Aug. 10, 1958. She survives. He is also survived by a son, Michael Shrimplin and wife, Penny, of Nevada; a daughter, Sondra Ogle and husband, Kent, of Webb City, Mo.; five grandchildren, Chris Shrimplin and wife, Kristin, of Buda, Texas, Brandon Shrimplin, of Neosho, Mo., Corey Clines, of Omaha, Neb., Kyle Ogle and wife, Alicia, of Nixa, Mo., and Kasey Ogle, of Webb City; and four great-grandchildren survive. He is preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Mary Katherine Johnson.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 19, at the United Methodist Church, in Nevada, with the Rev. Linda Pagel officiating. Interment will follow in Newton Burial Park, Nevada. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 18, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.

Contributions may be made to the Vernon County Senior Center in care of the funeral home.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.