Archie Henry “Bob” Hale, 97, of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, died May 7, 2023, at Liberty Hospital.
He was born August 28, 1925, in a little house on what is now Y Highway to father, Archie Loren Hale and mother, Sadie Viola (Sloan) Hale. Bob was a lifelong resident of Excelsior Springs and was a strong, honest, hardworking, kind, caring, Christian man.
He farmed with his father and brothers. They also picked up trash from the town residents’ back doors and hauled water to people that didn’t have city water. He made many friends throughout his long life.
He married Helen Louise (Elliott) Hale in 1945. After he and Helen married, he worked with other farmers helping with everything from Brahma bulls to dairy cows. He worked with Charley Crowley when he was just getting Crowley Furniture started in downtown Excelsior Springs. Some of these jobs were second jobs to help make ends meet when he began the job he would continue for almost 35 years. In 1954 he started running a rock crusher for the Clay County Highway Department. He drove a dump truck, then he operated a road grader and took great pride in his assigned territory keeping it maintained year-round. After many years he became foreman, then supervisor and finally, Superintendent of the Department. He
suffered a heart attack at age 62 and retired shortly after. He loved raising cattle and chickens on his farm and working in his shop tearing things apart for scrap metal and helping family, neighbors and friends fix things.
He had a strong sense of family and always enjoyed family and church gatherings, but he especially enjoyed life, looking forward to each day and every birthday party, of which he had many. He will be missed by all who knew him.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Helen, of 69 years; an infant daughter, Deborah Lynn Hale; his parents; sister, Ruby Madeline (Hale) Colvin; and brothers, Dorsey Bert Hale and Carl “Dink” Lee Hale.
He is survived by sister, Lola Grace (Hale) Arnold; sons, Richard Wayne Hale (Sandy), William “Bill” Loren Hale (Sharon), Chriss Eugene Hale, Jeffrey Lynn Hale; daughters, Barbara Louise (Hale) Whitmire, and Pamela Renee (Hale) Goodwine (Bryan); grandchildren, Haley Lou (Hamilton) Keller (Matt), Alicia Fay (Hamilton) Moore (Jamie), William “Billy” Loren Hale, Jr. (Miari), Rachel Renee (Abeh) Grosz (Tyler), Dalton Henry Goodwine, Garrett Christopher Hale; great grandchildren, Corbin Michale Sochocki (Lais), Matthew Cyrus Keller, Emma Leigh Keller (Anthony), Sadie Grace Moore, Sylvia Caroline Moore, Hale Eldon Grosz, Gretta Lee Grosz, Beau Henry Grosz; and great-great grandson, Callum Michale Sochocki.
A visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at Salem Christian Union Church in Excelsior Springs with a service to follow. Bob will be buried at Salem Cemetery following the service.
Arrangements in care of Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Excelsior Springs.