William David Conner, 74, of Hartsburg, passed away Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at The Neighborhood Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Facility, Columbia.
He was born May 19, 1949, to William E. and Mary B. (Kidwell) Conner in Tuscumbia.
He was a 1969 graduate from the School of the Osage.
David was drafted in the U.S. Army, Sept. 17, 1969, serving in Vietnam as a heavy equipment operator. He served in the U.S. Army until Sept. 16, 1975, when he was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant (E5).
David drove all types of trucks his whole life and continued his working career driving for various lumber companies in Columbia, and several other companies until his retirement in 1985.
He was united in marriage to Thelma Helms, Dec. 14, 1975, in Jefferson City.
David was preceded in death by parents, William and Mary; father- and mother-in-law, Marvin and Lucy Helms; brother-in-law, James “Gene” Helms; and sister, Linda Conner.
He is survived by wife of 47 years, Thelma of the home in Hartsburg; daughter, Angela Thompson (Stewart Sanner) of Columbia; son, Michael Conner (Carrie Maines Zaharoolis) of Ashland; step-son, James Kinworthy (Julie) of Columbia; four grandchildren; sister and brother -in-law, Brenda and Gene Miller of Louisiana; and half-sister and brother-in-law, Earl and Joyce Madeley of Montgomery, Texas.
A grave side memorial service with full military honors was held Tuesday, Aug. 15, in the Vienna Public Cemetery.
Memorials suggested to Central Missouri Honor Flight with envelopes available at the Vienna Funeral Home or in care of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box 250, Vienna, Mo., 65582.
