William "Mr. Becker" Becker Spaun

William Becker Spaun Jr. age 75, of Hannibal, MO, passed away at 2:40 a.m. Sunday, March 3, 2024, at the University of Missouri Medical Center in Columbia, MO.

After bravely battling a staph infection for nine days at Hannibal Regional Hospital, he was transferred to the University of Missouri Medical Center, where he finally succumbed. He died within 24 hours of his transfer.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Arch United Methodist Church.  Rev. Helen McFarland and Rev. Stacie Williams will officiate. Burial will follow in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. 

Visitation celebrating Becker's life will be held 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday, March 8, 2024, at the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel. 

Becker was born on February 7, 1949, in Hannibal, Missouri, the son of William B. and Mary Louise (Robinson) Spaun.

He was united in marriage to Linda Stevenson on September 5, 1970, in Wright City, MO.   

Survivors include his wife, Linda Spaun of the home; brother, Robert Spaun of Hannibal, MO; sisters, Margaret "Peggy" Rice of Kansas City, MO, Mary Lou Montgomery of Tulsa, OK, Sarah Fletcher (Randy) of Hannibal, MO and Shirley Schindler (Jim) of Halifax, MA; mother-in-law, Ruth Stevenson of Hannibal, MO; brothers-in law, David Stevenson of Hannibal, MO, and Ralph Martin of Brenham, TX; numerous nieces and nephews; and extended family and special friends, the Chris and Cindy Combs family of Hannibal.

In addition to his parents, Becker was preceded in death by a son, William Becker Spaun III, on Feb. 2, 2004; father-in-law, J.P. Stevenson; sister, Toni Spaun Martin; and brother-in-law, Edward P. Montgomery; and brother, David W. Carenen.

Becker graduated from Hannibal High School with the class of 1967 and went on to further his education at Truman State University in Kirksville, MO, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in History Education in 1971.

Professionally, Becker retired as an assistant chief and training officer for the Hannibal Fire Department. In his younger years, he worked at the Mark Twain Dinette from 1965 to 1972.  Becker was a case manager for the Hannibal Council on Drug & Alcohol Abuse for 17 years, where he was affectionally known as “Mr. Becker.”

As firemen work the shift of 24 hours on duty and 48 hours off, Becker had several part-time jobs over the years, including working as a substitute teacher for the Hannibal Public School District; GED instructor for the Northeast Correctional Center at Bowling Green; Big River Oil Co.; KHMO Radio; and the Mark Twain Riverboat. In addition, for five years he owned and operated Becker’s T-Shirts and Trains on Hill Street, at the foot of Cardiff Hill.

Becker loved spending time working on, customizing and adding to his model trains.

He was a member of the Evening Kiwanis and Gideons International.

He was a member of Arch United Methodist Church, where he served on the committee to build Arch’s current church facility. He also served in the infant nursery along with his wife for many years. He served as the financial secretary for the church.

When Linda was appointed as the pastor of Scott’s Chapel UMC, Becker joined her there, where he was the “Pastor’s Spouse,” doing what ever needed to be done.

Pallbearers will be firemen from the Hannibal Fire Department.

Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Committee on Relief, in care of Smith Funeral Home & Chapel.

Online condolences may be made to the family and video tribute viewed on Becker’s memorial page at www.smithfuneralhomeandchapel.com

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