Billy Wayne Dudley was born April 7, 1936 in Gunter, Texas to William “Bill” Amos Dudley and Hester Bell Dudley. He was called home to Heaven on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 while a patient in Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. He was eighty-nine years and six months of age.
Bill was raised in Gunter and at the age of seventeen was saved and was called to preach during a revival at First Baptist Church of Gunter. He loved God with all his heart and immediately began serving and preaching.
He served as associate pastor in Lubbock, Texas, then West Bend, Oregon. He pastored several years in Oklahoma before moving to Missouri to pastor Westside Baptist Church in Waynesville, Carpenter Street Baptist Church in Moberly, Golden Baptist Church, and First Baptist Church of St. Robert. During his career, he served as evangelist at many revivals.
Bill mentored many young pastors and was a Bible Scholar. He attended classes at Decatur College, Southwest Baptist University and Midwestern Seminary.
He held numerous leadership positions over the years and was currently on the Laclede Baptist Association Credentials Committee as well as the Missouri Baptist Convention Historical Commission. He also served on the board at Hannibal La Grange College in Hannibal, Missouri. He was a well-respected pastor and leader and was a faithful member of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Lebanon, Missouri.
On October 7, 1957, Bill was united in marriage to Lillie Mills. Together they made God the head of their household and built sixty-eight years of love, memories and devotion to each other. Lillie was a beautiful example of what a preacher’s wife should be and she supported him in his ministry.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Hester; his son, Paul Dudley; his daughter, Beverly Dudley; his siblings and their spouses, Ruby Dudley, Charles Ray Dudley, Viola (Louie) Denny, Wanda (Grady) Driver and Neva (Jimmy) Secrest.
He is survived by his loving wife, Lillie Dudley; two children, Clifton Dudley and his wife Judy and Linda Dudley; six grandchildren, Amy, Tim, Caleb, Kylie, Cory and Olivia; ten great-grandchildren, Gracie, Gabriel, Luke, Miles, Violet, Cabe, Barrett, Kasen, Calan and Carter; his daughter-in-law, Mary Dudley; and many nieces and nephews.
Bill was a devoted husband father, grandfather, great-grandfather, pastor, and friend. His kindness and encouraging, supportive nature was rooted firmly in his Christian faith. His love and trust in God grew throughout his life and his ministry. Words cannot adequately express the impact he has had on the lives of his family and so many others. He will be remembered as a faithful servant of the Lord and will be very much missed.
Funeral services for Rev. Bill Dudley will be Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Lebanon, Missouri with Pastor David Brown officiating. Visitation will be Saturday, October 11, from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in Mount Rose Memorial Park.
A memorial to the Hillcrest Baptist Church Building Fund or to Gideons International has been established and donations may be left at the funeral home.
Arrangements are under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon.
For more information or to visit the website go to www.holmanhowe.com.
