Billie Ridout

Billie “Bill” Wayne Ridout, 82, passed away peacefully Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, at Madison County Hospital in Winterset. Bill was born to Wayne and Flossie Ridout Aug. 1, 1938.

Bill was educated in the rural schools of Adair County and graduated from Fontanelle High School. After graduation, he worked as a carpenter until joining the U.S. Air Force in 1960.

Bill married Evelyn (Shinn) Ridout on Dec. 17, 1960. They had three children: Bryan, Terri and Rodney. They moved numerous times throughout their lives, often relocating for Bill’s job.

After leaving the Air Force, Bill worked as a diesel mechanic for most of his life. While in Colorado, he continued his ambition in the Masonic temple and worked his way up to become a shriner. Bill and Evelyn achieved a lifetime dream of buying a farm, settling in Union County in 1986.

He retired from Eco Tech Construction and went on to work at Walmart, while continuing to farm. Bill loved spending time with his family, anything with an engine, western movies, days on the farm and generally just had the gift of gab, doing business face-to-face, the old fashioned way, drinking coffee, sharing a story and a handshake.

He loved potatoes. He simply loved to eat and then fall asleep on the floor. He loved flowers, growing things, animals, his family, spending quality time and sharing words of wisdom with his grandchildren.

Bill is preceded in death by his father, Wayne; mother Flossie Ridout; brothers Wendell, Raymond and Gary.

Bill was a very warm hearted soul and will be missed terribly by his wife Evelyn, his three children, seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and his sister Karen (Tim) Jordan.

Funeral and Masonic services were held Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, at Steen Funeral Home in Greenfield with burial in Garner Cemetery, Bridgewater, with full military honors by the Greenfield American Legion Head-Endres Post No. 265 and V.F.W. Post No. 5357. Steen Funeral Home in Greenfield was in charge of the professional arrangements. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.steenfunerals.com.