Bill R. Pounds, age 94, passed away on March 17th, 2024.

Bill was born November 17th, 1929 in Sayre, Oklahoma to Joe and Eunice (Daughtrey) Pounds, Bill was raised by his grandparents, Bryant and Mary Daughtrey. He attended Doxey and Sayre Schools and received an AA Degree at Sayre Junior College, a BS Degree at Southwestern State and an MS at the University of Oklahoma.

Bill married Frances Nell Burks on August 27th, 1955 in Sayre.

Bill joined the United States Marines and attended Officers Training in Quantico, VA. He proudly Served in the Guided Missile program in Twenty Nine Palms, CA.

For thirty-six years he was involved in youth education at Southwestern State, Sayre High School and Sayre Junior College, Albuquerque, NM, and Parsons, KS. in 1966 he resigned as Principal of Parsons High School and accepted the position as Dean of Student Services at Labette Community College until his retirement in 1991.

Bill briefly served as interim president of Labette in 1979 and again in 1991. He received the Cardinal Citation award in 1997 for service to the college and the community. Bill retired in 1991 and he and Frances moved to Joplin, MO.

Survivors include Frances and their son Gary. Their son Larry Don passed away in 2017. Four grandchildren, Nathalie, Ethan, Derek, and KC. Also, several great grandchildren.

Bill was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church.

Services will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, March 20th, 2024 at the Mason-Woodard Chapel with burial to follow at Forest Park Cemetery in Joplin, MO. Visitation will be held from 6:00-7:00 pm on Tuesday, March 19th at the Mason-Woodard Chapel.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Mason-Woodard Mortuary and Crematory.