Eugene William Louden

Eugene William Louden
March 25, 1956-January 11, 2025

Eugene William (lovingly known as Bill) Louden, 68 of Joplin Missouri passed away from cancer on
January 11, 2025.

He was born in Alba, Missouri to Eugene Virgil Louden and Betty Crane Louden. He attended Webb City High School before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17 in 1973. He served in Okinawa and the Philippines where he discovered a love of diving and expressed the beauty he found in the ocean which his son Billy shared and loved to fish. He was stationed in El Toro, California where he was a KC130 Turbo Prop Engine Mechanic. He always had a passion for aircraft and military history and even shared his knowledge still in his last days with his daughter who he was immensely proud of. His love of aircraft and flying he shared with his sons and his last wish was to go RC Flying with them one last time in the spring. He served his country for 20 years and during his military career he served in Desert Storm and in Operation Desert Shield. He retired in 1994 as a Gunnery Sergeant just a couple days before the birth of his son Christian. He resided in Yuma, Arizona until 2005 and then returned to reside in Joplin.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents Eugene and Betty Louden of Alba, Mo. His brother John Leroy Louden of Atwood, Illinois, his brother Pat Louden of Alba, Mo, and his son Robert Donald Louden. He is survived by his sister Mary Louden of Alba, Mo. And his children William Louden & wife Audra of Jewett, Texas, David Louden of San Diego, California, Victoria Lauren Louden of Yuma, Arizona, Christian Robert Louden of Joplin, Mo., Tyler Dean Louden of Joplin, Mo. And his grandson Will Louden of Jewett, Texas.
There will be a private family graveside service at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield Missouri where he will be remembered with full Military Honors. Arrangements are under the direction of Ozark Memorial Park of Joplin, MO.