Billy F. Gwaltney, 49

Former Blair resident Billy E. Gwaltney, 49, died Monday, Oct. 22, 2007, at his home in Malta Bend, Mo.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, in the Malta Bend High School gymnasium. Interment will be in the Malta Bend Cemetery.

Billy Franklin Gwaltney was born June 5, 1958, in Leavenworth, Kan., to William F. and Mary Sue (Albin) Gwaltney.

He attended high school in Lincoln, Mo., before entering the U.S. Army in 1976. After serving in the military, he graduated in 1982 from State Fair Community College in Sedalia, Mo., with an Academic Arts Degree, and graduated in 1984 from the University of Missouri (Rolla) with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering.

On March 1, 1982, he married Rebecca Lynn Warga in Sedalia.

Mr. Gwaltney worked for Cargill from 1984 until 2004, serving the company in Dayton, Ohio, Eddyville, Iowa, Blair, and Dalhart, Texas.

In 2004, he was employed by Mid-Missouri Energy Inc. as General Manager/CEO of the producer-owned ethanol plant at Malta Bend. His leadership at MME, throughout the completion of construction and successful operations, helped bring national recognition to the Malta Bend facility and community.

He brought high energy and enthusiasm, tremendous management and motivational skills, and a team leadership style that brought admiration from many.

He will be remembered as “one of a kind” and many said God broke the mold after Billy.

Upon moving to Malta Bend, he became an active member of the Malta Bend United Methodist Church and the community.

He was serving as the Chairman of the Board at the Malta Bend UMC; was a member of the Board of Directors of Renewable Products Marketing Group, a member of Renewable Fuels Association, the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition, the Marshall-Saline Economic Development Corporation, Marshall Chamber of Commerce and Waverly Lions Club. He will long be remembered as a very giving person and strong supporter of youth and FFA programs.

He is survived by his wife, Rebecca, and son, William, both of Malta Bend; daughter, Sarah, of Marshall, Mo.; mother, Sue Rowan of Malta Bend; three sisters, Jean Canning of Port Charlotte, Fla., Kay Hagan of Sedalia, and Mindy Rigby of Malta Bend; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, William, and step-father, Forrest W. Rowan.

Memorials are suggested to the Malta Bend United Methodist Church or Malta Bend FFA Chapter.

~~~Obituary courtesy of Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~

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