Billy Joe Fitch

Our father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Billy Joe Fitch, passed away at 1:24 p.m., Sunday, September 14, 2025, the day after his 81st birthday. Billy Joe began his adventure on September 13, 1944, in Springfield, Missouri, the fifth child born of seven, and grew up in the small town of Ash Grove, Missouri. 

Billy Joe is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Wanita; his brothers, Charles, Nick, Dwayne; and sisters, Wilma and Delpha. Also, welcoming Billy is his loving wife Brenda; his grandson, Dustin; and great-granddaughter, Hayze Lynn. 

Billy Joe is survived by his sister, Patsy Walker of Springfield; his children, Billy Dean (Mary), Kelly (Ronnie), Kevin (Barb), John (Rachel), Kimberly, Stormy (Scott) and LeAnna.

He was blessed with 18 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and so many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family through AA, and too many friends to count.

Billy Joe was a hard-working iIronworker, loved fishing in his boat and attending all of the many family get togethers. He got sober in 1988 and spent 37 years inspiring so many grateful souls and blessed so many lives both close to home and in many AA halls, poker tables and late-night living rooms. In words of Grandpa, “Get over here and give me a hug, before I rip your face off.”

Visitation was from 10 a.m. until service time, Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Wilson-Griffin Funeral Home, Ash Grove. Funeral services began at 11 a.m., at the funeral home, with burial to follow at Clear Creek Cemetery, Springfield, Missouri. 

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to St. Jude in Billy Joe’s name.