William A. "Bill" Caine

William A. Caine (Bill), age 89, of Versailles, passed away after a brief illness on Friday, December 30, 2016, at the Good Shepherd Care Center in Versailles, MO. He was born in New York City, NY, November 26, 1927, a son of the late John J. and Lourene Petty Caine. The family lived in the heart of the city, one block from Broadway and two blocks from Central Park, down the hill from the Japanese Consulate. While Bill’s father, the vice-president of Men’s Wear at John Wanamaker Department Stores, traveled to Dubai, England, France and Spain on yearly buying trips, Lourene, Bill, and brother John would stay in Versailles, the original home of Lourene. John J. retired when Bill was six years-old, and the family moved permanently to Versailles. There, John J. and his sister-in-law, Irene (Sweet) Petty, established the Versailles Furniture Company in 1935. Bill graduated from Versailles High School in 1945 and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in International Business from the University of Southern California in 1948. He married Nona Carpenter Caine August 6, 1950, at the First Baptist Church in Versailles. She preceded him in death on November 25, 2011. Six weeks after their marriage, Bill was drafted by the US Army and served while the Korean War was underway. Following his discharge, Bill and Nona returned to Versailles to make their home. Bill and his brother John worked together in the family furniture business, establishing additional stores in Eldon, Tipton, and Sedalia. They eventually sold the stores in Tipton and Sedalia, while Bill managed the Versailles store and John the store in Eldon. Bill and Nona enjoyed a marriage centered on family and distinguished by devotion to one another, their family and community. They built many wonderful memories for themselves, their children and their grandchildren. In May of 2000, Bill and Nona were joint recipients of the Versailles Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award and received recognition in the Missouri House of Representatives for their accomplishments. Bill served as the Mayor of Versailles from 1967-1973. During his tenure, he worked with the City Council to bring a business management approach to the workings of the City and to establish services that would enhance the business community and the lives of residents. He was most proud of the establishment of the Versailles City Park and the Park District, but also oversaw the development of the Roy E. Otten Airport and the expansion of the Brown Shoe Company. When complimented on his accomplishments, Bill was quick to deflect and speak of the many others who worked hard to bring all the plans to fruition. Bill also served as a director on the boards of the Bank of Versailles, the Mid-Missouri Savings & Loan and the Good Shepherd Care Center. He was president of the Versailles Chamber of Commerce, the Lion’s Club, the Morgan County Fair Board, the Versailles Industrial Corp, and served as vice-president of the Lake of the Ozarks Association. He was active in the Gravois Arm Association, the American Legion, was a charter member of the Rolling Hills Country Club, and a member of the Versailles United Methodist Church. On a personal level, Bill was a man with a strong sense of love, loyalty, and duty. His devotion to his beloved wife, Nona, particularly during the years of her declining health served as an example to many; but was simply an outpouring of his rich love and commitment to her. Likewise, he taught his children to be fiercely loyal to their family, saying the love of a family is life’s greatest blessing. By example, his children learned to stand up for their convictions, but to strive for harmony and to work for mutual good. Bill is survived by his five children and their spouses, Mike and Karle Caine of Eldon; Cindy and Pat Driver of Gladstone; Lynda and Dennis Files of Bloomington, IL; Bob and Gloria Caine of Pismo Beach, CA and Patrick and Mindy Caine of Battlefield; 11 grandchildren, Dr. Jess Caine of Kirksville; Amanda (Cory) Baker of Clarksville, TN; Rachel (Adam) Nelson of Kansas City, Ben and Leslie Driver of Gladstone; Megan (Nathan) Baumann of Bloomington, IL; Allie (Byron) Hartsock of Champaign, IL; Will Caine of Richland, WA; Parker Caine of Pismo Beach; Billy and Tyler Caine of Battlefield; and six great-grandchildren, Cody, Abby and Nora Baumann and Nona, Georgia and Lilly Hartsock, two nephews, John and Rick Caine, both of Eldon, along with other relatives and many friends. He was also preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, John and Pat Caine. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 4, at the Versailles United Methodist Church with Pastor Lora Cunningham officiating. Interment will be in the Versailles Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 3, at the Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home in Versailles. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Versailles Cemetery Association.

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Memorial contributions are suggested to the Versailles Cemetery Association.

Tuesday, January 3, 2017 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home in Versailles 210 E Jasper Versailles, MO 65084

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Versailles Cemetery Association.

Wednesday, January 4, 2017 10:30 AM

Versailles United Methodist Church 210 North Monroe Versailles, MO 65084