Obituary of Lee Ollar

William Lee Ollar, 98, long time Ripley County resident, passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, MO. Lee was born July 15, 1921 near Bennett, MO to Will and Fannie (Few) Ollar. He was married to Jessie Burrows on May 10, 1942 at Bennett. She preceded him in death on May 11, 2011, having been married for 69 years. Also preceding him were one son, Alan Ollar, and one sister, Lina Swindel. Surviving are one son, Kenneth (Nancy) Ollar of Villa Ridge, MO, and one daughter, Barbara (Terry) Muse of Doniphan, MO. He was drafted into the United States Army and proudly served his country in World War II from 1942 to 1945. He served in the Mediterranean Theatre as an orderly, then as a dental technician. He was saved during a revival at Big Barren Baptist Church and was baptized in Florence, Italy during WWII. He served the church for many decades as a deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, and Sunday School Teacher. In the early 1950s he began working at St. Louis Car Company as an electrician. He commuted home to Ripley County on weekends until 1961 when the family moved to North St. Louis County. He continued working there until 1973 when the company closed its doors. Lee began farming at the age of 12 when his father died. He continued to farm into his mid-90s. He raised cattle most of his life and feeder pigs for many years. He worked for the United States Forest Service in their Senior Program for many years. Lee was a 74-year member of the Masonic Lodge, initiated on November 17, 1945 at Pine, MO. He was also a member of the VFW. Lee most enjoyed talking with people from all walks of life and never met a stranger. Visitation will be Friday, February 7, 2020 from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. with a Masonic funeral service at 7:30 p.m. The funeral will be Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. with Brother Monty Flanigan officiating. All will be at the Edwards Funeral Home Chapel in Doniphan. Burial with full Military Honors will be at Hufstedler Cemetery on C Highway. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to the Gideons International or the American Heart Association.