Willard Eugene (Gene) Blakeley, 80, of Jane, Missouri, went to be with his Lord on Saturday, April 23, 2022. He passed away at his home with his wife, Betty, by his side. Gene was born, on January 11, 1942, in Rogers, Arkansas, to parents Virgil Blakeley and Vivian (Bea) Mayo Blakeley.

Friends and family knew him as Pappy or Gene. Anyone who knew him well knew he could be as hard as his antique iron collection or as silly as his Hot Wheels collection. It really just depended on the day. He had a big sense of humor, and he thought his jokes were quite funny. His signature line after any joke was, "funny ain't it." He also had a loose change collection, but the truth is they were his lotto scratching pennies. Over the years, his loose change collection grew, but those pesky lotto tickets never decided to pay up. He had a heart for hotrods and could regularly be found sipping coffee browsing a hotrod magazine. While he had several different collections, he only had one real hobby: begging his boss, "Ma" Betty, for a new hotrod daily. She endured 47 years, 5 months, and 21 days of begging. She did compromise by getting him an electric wheelchair with hydraulics. He was one lucky fella.

He spent 20 years of his life working for Tyson before retiring. He also spent 20 years as the Fire Chief for White Rock Fire Department.

He is preceded in death by his father, Virgil Blakeley, mother, Vivian Mayo Blakeley, two brothers, Virgil Lee and HO Blakeley, his daughter Tonya LaDawn Largent, granddaughter Miranda Lynne Largent, and his lifelong friend of 70 years, James Clower.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Jean Baker Blakeley, daughter Saundra and husband Ron, son Jeff Blakeley and partner Lynette McCallister, son Jacob Blakeley, son Jamey Blakeley and wife Sky Blakeley, and bonus daughter Mikala Mustain. His ten grandchildren, Philip, Alfred "granpa", Andy O'Dell, Brandon Beam and wife Karrie Beam, Cara Eickhoff and husband Eric Eickhoff, Hunter Largent, Lehton Largent, Archer Blakeley, Oakleigh Blakeley, MaKenzie Blakeley, and four great-grandchildren, Jimmy Keene III, Addison Girth, Jack O'Dell and Lucy O'Dell.

His memorial service will be Saturday, April 30, 2022, at First Baptist Church in Pineville, Missouri at 4:00 P.M. Immediately following will be a potluck. All are invited to stay, share stories, laugh, and cry.

First Baptist Church in Pineville is located at 206 E. 5th St. Pineville, Mo. 64856

In Lieu of flowers please make donations to First Baptist Church of Pineville.

His ashes will be buried at Brush Creek Cemetery.

On-line condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.