Billy Ray Hunsperger, Sr., the son of the late Matthew Thomas and Pear Elizabeth Driver Hunsperger, was born in Malden on March 10, 1938, and died at his home in Dexter on Dec. 27, 2004, at the age of 66 years.

Mr. Hunsperger had lived most of his life in Southeast Missouri. He had resided in Dexter since 1972 and had worked at ArvinMeritor for 23 years before his retirement. He was a member of the NRA, the American Legion and was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Surviving are one daughter, Sandra Dianne Hunsperger of Bell City; two sons, Billy Ray Hunsperger, Jr. of Dexter and Steven Howard Hunsperger of Bell City; seven grandchildren; one brother, Frank Hunsperger of Dexter.

He was preceded in death by one son, Dennis Melvin Hunsperger; one daughter, Linda Christine Hunsperger; five brothers, Irvin, Curtis, Calvin, Melvin and James Hunsperger; and two sisters, Maxine Jarvis and Geneva Boyles.

Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2004, at the Watkins & sons Funeral Home in Dexter.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 30, 2004, at Watkins & Sons Chapel in Dexter with the Rev. Brian Flanigan of Oran officiating.

Graveside military honors will be conducted by the Stoddard County Military Honors Team at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2004, in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

Interment will follow in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

Watkins & Sons Funeral Services is in charge of arrangements.