William Lafayette Mantooth

A man of quiet ways who delighted in watching the activity swirling around him, a man full of grace whose faith was rooted deep within, a man generous of spirit in every regard, William (Bill) Lafayette Mantooth transitioned from this world October 24, 2013 in Cape Girardeau, MO. Visitation will be Monday, October 28, 2013 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau with the funeral following at 6:00 p.m. with Rev. Tom Sullenger officiating. A memorial service and interment will be at East Mound Cemetery in Matador, TX on Thursday, October 31, 2013. Mantooth was born August 28, 1925 to William Harvey Mantooth and Fannie Leah Pritchard Mantooth in Commerce, Tx. He graduated from East Texas State Teachers College Training School in 1942 and went on to earn a bachelor�s degree in business from East Texas State Teachers College. Bill always loved nice cars, and he was one of the first teenagers in Commerce to have his own vehicle, which he reportedly liked to drive very fast. After graduation he joined the Air Force and was stationed at the Army Air Base in Clovis, NM. Earning the rank of sergeant, he was trained as a radio operator on Boeing B-29 Superfortress, but the war ended before he was transferred overseas. While stationed in Clovis, Bill met and fell quickly in love with a student nurse, Olive Aileen Russell of Matador, TX. They were married five weeks after their first date on March 16, 1946. Their love grew and continued until Aileen�s death on October 4, 2009. After the war, Bill and his young bride returned to Commerce where he joined his father in a delivery business servicing the railroad. Soon he began working for the Cotton Belt Railroad arranging for crews. The St. Louis Southwest Railroad (SSW) subsidiary, SSW of Texas, Cotton Belt Division then moved him to their hub in Fort Worth where he began as a switchman. SSW eventually became a part of Burlington Northern Santa Fe. Mantooth was a lifetime railroad man, and he worked his way up to the position of train master. During his career, he served as a train master in the yards at Texarkana, Pine Bluff, and Jonesboro, all in Arkansas. He was also train master in Belleville, IL and Cape Girardeau, MO. After retirement, the Mantooths continued to make their home in Cape Girardeau. Bill and Aileen loved to travel and were proud that they had visited all of the states except Alaska. They tirelessly researched family genealogy and liked to collect coins and vintage numbered railroad nails. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church of Cape Girardeau and was dedicated to his loving church family. For many years Bill went to the church building bright and early every Sunday to unlock the facility before services. Bill also enjoyed working with his friends at Sunny Hill Gardens and Florist where he helped in the bookkeeping department. After Aileen�s death, Bill has lived at the Lutheran Home Cape Girardeau. He is preceded in death by his wife, his parents, and his sister, Nancy Elizabeth Mantooth Maxwell. Mantooth is survived by his sister-in-law, Dorothy Cox Russell of Matador, TX. He is also survived by the following nieces and nephew (who are more like children); Marilyn (Randy) Hicks, Linda (Tom) Roy all of Matador, TX, John Douglas (D�anna) Russell of Eureka, Kansas, Caron (Jesse) Perkins of Odessa, TX. He is survived by special friends (more like family) Paul and Marilyn Schnare, Nicole and Gary Siebert and their children, Kelsi, Coby and Kory. Memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 521 Caruthers Ave., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 or Lutheran Home Assisted Living West- 2825 Bloomfield Rd., Cape Girardeau, MO 63703. Ford & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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William Lafayette Mantooth

October 24, 2013