Bill Backes Obituary

William "Bill" Francis Backes, 91, the "long serving unofficial Mayor" of Osage City, Missouri, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, July 5, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Born July 11, 1933, on Dodd's Island across the Osage River from Bonnots Mill, Missouri, Bill was the son of the late Leo John and Louise Josephine (Bescheinen) Backes. He graduated from Fatima High School in Westphalia in 1952.
Bill proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was stationed in France from 1953 to 1955. On October 22, 1955, he married Nancy Fassbinder at St. Louis of France Church in Bonnots Mill. Together, they built a life full of love, laughter, and chaos-raising nine children (which surely deserves several medals) and sharing nearly 70 years of marriage.
Bill was never one to sit still. He ran the Imperial Oil service station in Cedar City and during the 1960's and 1970's he and his brother Donnie were the owners of Apache Flats Skelly. Bill would work the evening shift so he could do his commercial fishing in the morning. He later worked at the Callaway Nuclear Plant and ran the Texaco station on Missouri Blvd.
He loved fishing and could probably navigate the Osage and Missouri Rivers blindfolded. With his passing, the catfish in those rivers can finally relax! He was one of Missouri's greatest fishermen and the envy of all his friends. When he was 89 years old, he and his friend Don Lewis went fishing, and Bill fell in the river and spent 45 minutes in the freezing water before he was rescued. His family was mortified, but he got a big laugh from that escapade.
He loved hunting, trapping, mushroom hunting, gardening, square dancing, feeding his birds, ginseng hunting, and really, anything outdoors. He was a lifelong fair-weather St. Louis Cardinal fan alternating between cheering them on and being disgusted. He had a real sense of humor and loved kidding around with his grand-kids. He had a sweet and kind soul and was loved by everyone he knew. He was a proud member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, the American Legion, and participated in the Honor Flights.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy L. Backes of the home; his children: Leon (Jane) Backes of Dallas, TX, Ronald (Debbie) Backes of Jefferson City, Kenneth (Jolene) Backes of Pleasant Hill, Linda Backes of Jefferson City, Douglas (Lisa) Backes of Rowlett, TX, Norma Hagenhoff of Hallsville, Wanda (George) Frank of Linn, Glenn (Tracey) Backes of Etterville, and Lila (John) Biggs of St. Martins; his siblings: Bette Pfahl, and James (Carol) Backes; 24 grandchildren; John (Amber) Backes, Blake Backes, Shaun (Nikki) Backes, Sarah (Jesse) Boss, Kelli Backes, Brandi (Chris) Broussard, Ashleigh (George) Schembs, Brett (Jessica) Dunlap, Samantha (Branton) Bruner, Anna (John) Bunch, Heather (Mathew) Harris, Rachel (Ryan) Welch, David (Jessica) Hagenhoff, Erica Hagenhoff, Hannah (Aaron) Brandt, Jacob Frank, Sami Frank (Drake Donoho), Mathew Frank, Bryce (Maria) Backes, Deanna Backes, Trevor Meisel, Jaxen Long, Ruby Long, Alyissa (James) Nelson, 38 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Louise; his granddaughter, Audrey Grace Backes; siblings, infant sister Bernice, Vincent & his wife Rosanna and Donald & his wife Jane; son-in-law, Michael Hagenhoff; brother-in-law, Ed Pfahl; and his beloved dog, "City Dog."
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Audrey Grace Foundation, c/o New Horizons, Abilene, TX or Central Missouri Honor Flight-two causes close to Bill's heart.
A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at Taos Knights of Columbus with a Prayer Service at 3:30. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Taos, with Fr. Kelechi Uzuegbu officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery, where Bill will be laid to rest with his rosary in one hand and probably still grumbling about that last Cardinals game.
Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 W. Main St., Jefferson City, MO 65109, (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.millardfamilychapels.com.
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