William Thomas "Bill" Switzer, of Dixon, was born February 18, 1927, near Dixon, a son of Levy and Sarah Elizabeth "Bessie" (Shelton) Switzer, and departed this life at 6:50 p.m., on Saturday evening, October 26, 2019, in the Dixon Nursing and Rehab.  Bill had been in failing health for some time and had attained the age of 92 years, 8 months, and 8 days.

On June 14, 1945, at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, Bill entered into active federal service in the Army of the United States and served until February 9, 1947, when he was honorably discharged at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, at the rank of Private First Class.  During his military career, Bill was assigned to the 115 ^th Military Police Company as a rifleman in Italy.  He was trained and instructed in the use of rifles and all types of infantry hand weapons. His duties included the guarding of military installations and government property, and he was entitled to wear the Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal German, and One Overseas Service Bar.  A man of excellent character, Bill's "Honorable Discharge" is a testimonial of honest and faithful service to his country during World War II.

Bill accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal savior as a young man during a Billy Graham Crusade and was later baptized at the Dixon Nursing and Rehab.  He was a lifelong farmer and cattle producer in Maries County and had served on the boards of both the Missouri Farmers Association (MFA), and the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCA).  Bill was an expert pool player and had played pool all over Italy.

Those left to mourn the passing of Bill include: His brother, Lawrence Harold Switzer, Dixon; one niece, Michele (Shelley) Switzer, Dixon; great niece and nephews, Chelsea Lane, Dylan Donati, and Tucker Brown; one great-great-nephew, Trey Lane; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Levy, on July 11, 1978; and his mother, Bessie, on March 8, 1986.

Visitation for Bill will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., with the funeral service following at 2:00 p.m., on Wednesday, October 30, 2019, all in the Dixon Chapel of the Birmingham Funeral Home, 105 East Third Street, Dixon, Missouri 65459, with Minister Louis Dunlap, Pisgah Baptist Church, Dixon, officiating.

Interment with full Military Honors under the direction of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, Dixon, will be in the West Fairview Cemetery, Dixon.

Expressions of sympathy are suggested by the family to the American Cancer Society with envelopes available at the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, Dixon.