Bill Young

William “Bill” Porter Young, son of the late Wayne and Vonnie Young, was born January 29, 1935, in Grovespring, Missouri, and departed this life on January 23, 2026, at Hartville Care Center in Hartville, Missouri, at the age of 90 years, 11 months, and 25 days.

Bill grew up in Mansfield and attended school in the area. Upon graduating high school, Bill enlisted in the United States Navy. Following his honorable service, he met the love of his life, Phyllis Karr. The couple relocated to Arizona where they built a life together until her passing.

Bill was a devoted son. After losing Phyllis, he returned to Missouri to live in Mansfield and care for his mother until her death. Never one to settle down for too long, at the young age of 80, Bill decided to pack up and head back to the Arizona sunshine. In 2022, as his health began to decline, he returned to Mansfield one last time to be closer to his family.

Bill was a man who enjoyed the simple pleasures of life from a warm cup of coffee and a cigarette to a barbeque surrounded by family and friends. In his spare time, he could be found tending to his yard and talking politics. Bill loved to spend time with family, especially if it included a meal. Some folks loved to cook, and Bill was sort of like that, but instead of cooking, he loved to take you out to eat. A lover of dogs and a man with a spirited sense of humor, Bill was known as a big flirt. He will be fondly remembered for his famous one-liner: "You're pretty to me."

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Vonnie Young, his wife, Phyllis Young, and his two brothers, Wayne and Kenneth Young.

Bill is survived by his son, Kenny Young, one grandson, Gabriel Young, several nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Bill was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

Memorial contributions can be made in Memory of Bill to the Mansfield American Legion Post 128 by dropping them off in person at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home in Mansfield, or by mail to 315 N. Main St., Mountain Grove, Missouri, 65711.