Willard E. "Bill" DeHaven

Willard E. “Bill” DeHaven, 96, of Sedalia, passed away Monday, August 24, 2026, at E.W. Thompson Health and Rehab.

He was born September 5, 1929, in Sedalia, one of five children of Millard and Dolly (McFatrich) DeHaven.

On August 16, 1953, in Sedalia, he married Gloria Ann Bettise, who preceded him in death on March 22, 2021.

Bill grew up in Sedalia and attended local schools. In 1948, he joined the U.S. Navy and served for four years during the Korean War, then returned home and completed high school. He graduated from Smith-Cotton High School in 1953.

Bill worked for Pepsi Co. for 37 years, spending most of his career as a route salesman. After retiring, he was a security guard at the Missouri State Fairgrounds until age 90. He also drove cars for W-K Chevrolet. Bill was someone who liked to stay busy and keep working. In his free time, he enjoyed scratching lottery tickets, taking drives, and playing cards with his family. He and Gloria were former members of the Moose Lodge and Elks Lodge. Bill will be remembered as a quiet, hardworking man.

Survivors include three children, Dawn DeHaven West (Rick), of Lake of the Ozarks, Bill DeHaven (Debbie), and Deanna Dodd (Stuart), all of Sedalia; eight grandchildren, Michael DeHaven, Brian Shull, Kevin DeHaven, Meghan Zeller, Josh Shull, Ashley Graff, Scott DeHaven, and Jarrad Shull; 17 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren, with another on the way.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by four siblings, Mary Ditton, JoAnn Foote, Kenneth DeHaven, and Gordon “Buzz” DeHaven.

The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Heckart Funeral Home, where memorial services will begin at 2:00 p.m.

Military honors will be conducted by the U.S. Navy, VFW Post 2591, and the Patriot Guard.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Missouri State Fair Foundation.

The family extends a special thank you to St. Croix Hospice, the VA, and E.W. Thompson Health and Rehab for the care they provided for Bill.