Arthur A. Fry

Arthur Allen Fry, 94, of Otterville, MO, passed away Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

He was born on January 16, 1932, in Otterville, to the late Vincil and Willa (Witcig) Fry. He was the first born of three children. He was preceded in death by his two siblings, Mary Fry Ellison and J.D. Fry. He never lived more than three miles from his birthplace.

Arthur graduated from Otterville High School in 1949. His class was the last to graduate from that school before it burned down. Arthur was the last surviving member of the Class of 1949. He enjoyed many class reunions and dinner gatherings with his classmates and always talked fondly of them.

Arthur proudly served in the National Guard for three years, 1951-1954. He started farming his land in 1949 but had hogs from the age of ten. He was very proud of his land and was a lifelong farmer. He always said, “there will never be any more land.” He loved his dogs and animals.

Arthur was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church of Otterville, where he served as a deacon, trustee and Sunday school teacher. He took pride in always helping at the church and helping church members, families, and friends, in whatever their needs might be. He was a kind, unselfish man, always there to lend a hand to the other person.

On April 6, 1958, Arthur married the love of his life, Martha Knernschield, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Lohman, MO. He loved to tell the story of how he took her off the dance floor and took her home but didn’t even know her name.

They were blessed with almost ten short years of marriage together, farming their beloved land. Martha passed away on January 5, 1968.

From their union, they were blessed with two children, Susan Sleeper (Jr), of Sedalia, and David Fry (Kathy), of Otterville.

On May 1, 1971, Arthur married Betty Bolton Williams at the LaMonte United Methodist Church, welcoming her four children, Debra Weule (Don), Stanley Williams, Barbara Williams and Janice Huffman (Daryl).

Arthur and Betty were married for 52 years. Betty preceded Arthur in death on November 2, 2023.

Arthur is also survived by his four granddaughters, Christine Wirths (Chad), Jennifer Pearson (George), Maddison Boeck (Dylan), and Errika Lewis (Xavier); eight great-grandchildren; five step grandchildren; and three step great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, August 16, 2026, at Heckart Funeral Home in Sedalia.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, August 17, 2026, at First Baptist Church of Otterville.

Burial will be in I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Otterville.

Memorials are suggested to First Baptist Church of Otterville or I.O.O.F. Cemetery.

Arrangements are in the care of Heckart Funeral Home.