William Albert Hotelling Sr.

Specialist 4th Class US Army Reserves

Passed September 6, 2026 quietly in his sleep due to complications of progressed dementia. William was born on, March 23, 1948 to Harold Austin Hotelling and Margareet Armeda Smith of Fair Grove, Missouri.

William met his future wife Joyce Lillian Fowler through a mutual friend while she was attending St. Johns School of Nursing in Springfield, Missouri. He would propose marrige within a months time. When his draft notice for the Vietnam War arrived, she wasted no time and they eloped December 28th, 1967.

William was stationed in New Jersy as Private 1st Class of the 41st Field Artillery Regiment. Later, he would be deployed to Bismarck Kaserne military base in Schwabisch Gmund, Germany. In 1977 he earned a Masters Degree in Education from Central Missouri State University of Warrensburg, Missouri. He would become an Industrial Arts Teacher for Kansas City and later, substitue teacher in Fair Grove, Missouri.

William felt a need to serve community, he became ordained as a pastor for Garland First Baptist Church in Garland Missouri, later he joined the American Legion post 38 of Fair Grove, and became the Fire Chief of the volunteer fire department.

He is Preceded in death by his parents and grandparents, his wife Joyce Lillian Hotelling, several aunts and uncles, brother Harold Lee Hotelling, and a still born child.

William is survived by his Aunt Mary Geraldine Hotelling of Republic, sisters Juanita Harp, Hazel Rowden of Fair Grove, brother John Hotelling of Ava Missouri, sons Bert Hotelling of Fair Grove, Austin Hotelling of Carthage, Missouri, daughters Laurel Allen of Omaha, Nebraska, Sara Sommerville of Haxtun, Colorado. Ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Celebration of life will be held at: First Baptist Church of Fair Grove on September 21, 2026 at noon.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ozark Memorial Park of Joplin, MO