BOWLING GREEN, Mo. — The Bowling Green community is mourning the loss of one of its most beloved and respected citizens following the death of Mr. William “Bill” Mallory on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022.
At 101 years old, the World War II veteran and longtime educator was a true example of the military motto of “service before self.” Mr. Mallory gave generously of his time and talents over the years to a wide variety of church and civic groups including Rotary and Lions and the Champ Clark Memorial VFW Post 5553.
His most profound impact on the community was over 40 years devoted to teaching agriculture and supporting organizations such as the FFA and 4-H. Almost 30 years of Mr. Mallory’s esteemed career was spent inside the walls of Bowling Green High School. Most recently he was presented an award by the Community Teachers Association in 2016, which joined a lifetime of other awards and accolades.
Mr. Mallory was featured in the inaugural edition of the Eagle 102 Patriot for his military service. At that time he shared one of his most proud accomplishments was receiving a 75-year pin with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He was recognized for the distinction in 2018 at Phoenix Lodge 136 where he had been a member since 1962. He originally joined the organization in his hometown of Clark, Missouri.
In addition to the various awards and distinctions for his distinguished career in education and local civic organizations, Mr. Mallory has been recognized for his service as a staff sergeant in the United States Army Air Force. He was a tail gunner on a B-24 bomber during World War II. Like so many men of the Greatest Generation, he saw a great deal of action during his military service. While he was reluctant to talk specifically about the events of his military time, he received a Presidential citation for his service. He spent much of that period in England and Italy. One of the most harrowing experiences found them counting over 90 bullet holes in the plane they were in once they had safely landed.
Mr. Mallory was an active member of the VFW and was one of several local veterans who participated in the Honor Flight program and visited Washington, D.C.
In 2019 Mr. Mallory was honored at the Missouri State Fair during the first-ever Military Flag Retreat Ceremony which recognized 11 veterans each night of the fair. The event took place at the Highway Patrol building on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019. It was one of the most well-attended of the ceremonies.
Mr. Mallory had been expected to attend a ceremony at the Pike County Fairgrounds on Saturday, Jan. 8 where he was to be saluted, along with other past and present FFA advisors and 4-H leaders, as the Fair Board officially dedicated the livestock barn.
Nearing his 102nd birthday, Mr. Mallory had remained a fixture in the community. In recent years he could be found running around town on his golf cart and chatting with folks at MeMe’s Pantry. His love for the community he spent decades helping to shape was apparent and his service to community is perhaps his greatest and most lasting legacy.
His was a true demonstration of life well-lived with integrity in service to country and a community he adored and impacted positively at every opportunity.