Billy L. Belden, age 90, formerly of St. Elmo, Illinois passed away at 2:50 a.m. Wednesday, February 28, 2018 in Columbia, Missouri.

Funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 12, 2018 at the First United Methodist Church in St. Elmo, Illinois. Pastor Dan Laack will be officiating. There will be a two-hour viewing prior to the service. Burial will be at Maplewood Cemetery in St. Elmo, Illinois with Military Rites observed. For those who prefer memorials, they may be given to First United Methodist Church, 215 N. Walnut St. St. Elmo, IL 62458 or the donor's choice.

Bill was born on July 25, 1927 in Wood River, Illinois, the son of Granville Arthur and Rosa (Sampson) Belden. He married Iris Elaine Jenkins on June 3, 1950, in London Mills, with the Rev. Granville Arthur Belden officiating. Bill was an active member of First United Methodist Church of St. Elmo where he was a member of the choir, taught Sunday School, served on the board, and performed vocal solos for funerals and weddings for many years. He was employed by his brother Deke, first as an electrical lineman, and later as an oil field pumper. He was a talented amateur photographer, and a Boy Scout leader for years.   Family was always the most important thing in his life.

He is survived by his two sons, Dr. Jeffery Lewis Belden (wife Sandra) of Columbia, Missouri, Bradley Keith Belden (wife Susan) of Lula, Georgia; one daughter, Lori Ann Hainz (husband Scott) of Wildwood, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Stuart Michael Belden, Scott Andrew Belden, Mark Adam Belden, Abbie Leigh Steiling (husband Rick), Andrew Scott Hainz, Kelly Delaney Pyles (husband Alex), Violet Skylynne Hainz and two great- grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Granville and Rosa Belden; wife, Iris Belden; four brothers, Carl Woodrow Belden, Wilbur Leo Belden, Arthur Mason Belden, Harold Eugene Belden; five sisters, Frances Priscilla Belden Raines (husband Max), Olive Fern Belden Milliron (husband Harold), Hilda Gertrude Belden, Eloise Belden Cassidy (husband Charles) and Alyce Evelyn Belden.