Bonnie Hugh Gillespie

Bonnie Hugh Gillespie

Bonnie Hugh Gillespie, son of the late S.E. Gillespie and Edna Clodfelter Gillespie, was born in Taylor, Arkansas on August 13, 1925 and passed away from this life on April 18, 2025 at the age of 99 years, 8 months and 5 days in the Cape Girardeau, Missouri Veterans Home.

In 1944, he joined the AACS-Army Airway-Communications Systems. His basic training was at Buckley Field Denver, Colorado. Then to Madison, Wisconsin for training. He was not there long, and after losing the war, the infantry was needing men and many of the squadrons were called out. He was called but at the last minute was told his squadron to stay. In his words “that is all that saved me.” He was at Shepard Field, Texas when WWII was won and was sent to Natal Brazil-no parachutes going over in airplane- coming back to United States a parachute was mandatory. He had to wait 2 weeks before one was available. They were in short supply. He was discharged in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1946.

Bonnie loved his country and instilled that love in his children to respect the American flag and what it stands for. It was an honor to be a WWII Veteran and he proudly wore that hat every day.

He owned and operated Gillespie’s Service Station in Aquilla from 1956-1974. He raise black Angus cattle and after selling the service station 1975, he was a salesman for Moorman Feed, winning many awards until his retirement in 1985.

Bonnie was a lifetime member of Stars and Stripes, lifetime member of American Legion #382 for 76 years, lifetime member of Bloomfield Masonic Lodge #153 and 32nd Degree Scottish Rite.

He attended St. Joe General Baptist church until declining health.

He is survived by a son, Dennis (Phyllis) Gillespie of Nolensville, Tennessee, his daughters, Angie (Bob) Barnfield of Bloomfield, Missouri, and Ruthann (Dale) Bradshaw of Dexter, Missouri, three grandchildren, Christian (Mendy) Bell of Dexter, Missouri, Dr. Ryan (Kristen) Gillespie of Nashville, Tennessee, Dr Leslie (Skye) Gillespie-Marthaler, of Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania, eight great grandchildren, Carson Bell, Clayton Bell, Cameron Bell, Olivia Gillespie, Hazel Gillespie, Magnus Marthaler, Jonithan Dodson, and Graison Dodson, two brothers, Walter (Janet) Gillespie of Charolotte, North Carolina, Don (Darlene) of Phillipsburg, Ohio, and one sister, Clara Kull of Irvine, California.

A very special friend, Kathryn Williams.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Aileen Rummel, Geneva Douglas Siler, Vergie Lee Tiller, and Gussie Tiller, as well as his brothers, Blair Gillespie and Dwight (PD) Gillespie.

Private family services will be held on April 28th, 2025 at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri, with brother Ronnie Stevens officiating. Internment will follow at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri with full military honors.

The family is so grateful to the Cape Girardeau, Missouri Veterans Home for the excellent care and love they showed to our loved one.

Memorial donations can be made to St. Judes, Stars and Stripes, and 18FORELIFE.