John Bill Sharp
Funeral services for John Bill Sharp, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, June 1, 2012, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Mr. Sharp passed over Tuesday, May 29, 2012, at the age of sixty-nine years, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born August 13, 1942, to Floyd and Doris Sams Sharp at their family home in Howell County, Missouri. On December 26, 1968, he was married at Salem, Arkansas, to Paula Hoots. Bill was a Christian and a faithful supporter of Spring Creek Congregational Church.
Bill graduated from West Plains High School with the class of 1960. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from SMSU and Bachelors of Science in Elementary and Secondary Education from SMSU (MSU). He earned his Master of Education from Drury University in Springfield, MO.
During Bill’s high school years he was an avid bull rider. He rode both in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas with his cousin and best friend Jim Mustion. Those events became a source of nostalgia for the two men during Bill’s illness. As did his enjoyable road trips with big brother, Don Sharp.
Mr. “Coach” Sharp’s professional career included working as an educator, administrator and coach in area school districts, including Peace Valley School District, Richards School District and West Plains R-7 School District. After retirement he worked part time at Junction Hill School District. One of his proudest career accomplishments was being instrumental in starting the first girls’ Zizzer Cross-Country program in 1978 at West Plains High School. Under his leadership, in 1979, the girls’ team advanced to the State Meet in Jefferson City, Missouri. For some years he also worked as Assistant Director of White Oak Camp for under-privileged children.
Bill was a loving devoted husband, father, brother and friend. He enjoyed spending time with his family, remodeling houses, collecting antiques, gardening and writing songs.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Paula (Hoots) Sharp, of the family home; their daughter, Dr. Melonie Bunn, husband, Steve, West Plains, Missouri; one son, Ray Lynn Sharp-Hollingshad, wife, Sally; one brother, Don Sharp, Billings, Missouri; daughter in law, Shawn White; three grandchildren, Zach, Ethan and Amelia Hollingshad all of Springfield, Missouri; one niece, Allison Decker, husband, Greg; two nephews, Donnie Sharp, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and Michael Sharp, Nixa, Missouri; one aunt, Mildred McKee, two uncles, Floyd Sams, wife, Eva, and Leonard Courtney; and many cousins including Jim & Sue Mustion, West Plains, Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and many uncles, aunts and cousins.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, May 31, 2012, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Coach Sharp to Richards School Foundation for an Endowment Scholarship Fund and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Heidy's
May 30, 2012 @ 5:33 pm
You will be missed by so many, but I know you are with our Lord. Praying that the Lord will give strength and peace to your family.
Paula Sharp
June 5, 2012 @ 6:06 pm
Yes, Bill’s knowledge of crossing over to Jesus was his strength and it is our only comfort during this time. We will see Dad again.
Love,
Paula, Melonie & Steve
Amber(Cozort) Redburn
May 30, 2012 @ 6:09 pm
Paula, Melonie, and Ray and Families….My parents and us have you all in our prayers and thoughts. We will miss Coach very much!
Paula Sharp
June 5, 2012 @ 6:00 pm
Dear Friend,
Coach thought so much of you and your parents are our good friends.
Love,
Paula, Melonie & Steve
Chuck and Jan Wichern
May 30, 2012 @ 8:53 pm
Paula,
Our hearts go out to you and your family. Bill will be greatly missed. If there is anything we can do to assist you, please let us know. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Paula Sharp
June 5, 2012 @ 5:56 pm
Dearest Chuck & Jan,
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Your prayers are our strength during this difficult time.
Paula
David and Carrie Thompson
May 31, 2012 @ 10:09 am
Paula and family, We are thinking of you and praying for your family. Our classmate will be truly missed by all of us.
Paula Sharp
June 5, 2012 @ 5:53 pm
Carrie & David,
Thank you for your prayers.
Paula
Regena Vick
May 31, 2012 @ 10:38 am
My heart goes out to you and your family at this difficult time. I will miss Bill’s humor and smile which is captured in his picture above. There was alot about Bill that I didn’t know too like bull riding, what a guy! He will be missed for sure. I love him for being so good to my nephew, Steve. He accepted him into his family with open arms. See you again some day Bill, keep the light on for us, ok? My thoughts are with you and will pray for strength/peace.
Paula Sharp
June 5, 2012 @ 5:52 pm
Regena,
Bill thought so much of your family and he was so proud of Steve. Dad will be missed so much. However, we will see he again!
Love you,
Paula, Melonie & Steve
Ron Crain
May 31, 2012 @ 4:00 pm
I wish to express my sincere condolences to Bill’s family. Ron Crain, West Plains High School Principal, 1977-1980
Paula Sharp
June 5, 2012 @ 5:47 pm
Mr. Crain,
Thank you,
Paula, Melonie & Steve
Charlie Fox
May 31, 2012 @ 4:33 pm
My condolences for the loss. I certainly remember Bill, although I didn’t know about the bull riding but I do remember a great sense of humor. The class of ’60 is shrinking and we didn’t need to lose another great member. Accept my sympathy for your loss which is a loss for all of us.
Paula Sharp
June 5, 2012 @ 5:45 pm
Charlie,
Thank you, Paula
Melinda Burgess King
May 31, 2012 @ 7:02 pm
Coach Sharp shaped so many lives including mine and my brother’s (Bruce) during his years at Richards school and at WP High School. He was honest, quick to praise and yet a firm disciplinarian. His belief in our talent was a great motivator. To Paula, Melonie and Ray, our thoughts are with you. I can picture him in Heaven with all his old cronies, his former students and family, without pain and having the time of his life. Forever in our hearts. Till we meet again….Melinda King, former student and track team member.
Paula Sharp
June 5, 2012 @ 5:44 pm
Melinda,
Yes, Dad was a firm disciplinarian in our family too and it served our family well.
He often spoke of you and your talent.
Thank you,
Paula
Dale and Thelma Mitchell
June 1, 2012 @ 8:08 am
What a great guy.. lot of memories from high school . Paula our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.. You are not alone so many people love you and Bill…
Paula Sharp
June 5, 2012 @ 5:38 pm
Dale & Thelma,
Yes, Bill always enjoyed talking about those memories of you all in high school. Those stories will always be another source of comfort for me too.
Love,
Paula
sandylovandillard
June 1, 2012 @ 11:24 am
Paula so sorry about Bill. Our thoghts and prayers are with you.
Paula Sharp
June 5, 2012 @ 5:34 pm
Sandy,
Thank you so much for your prayers.
Paula
Kathryn Revetta
June 1, 2012 @ 2:29 pm
Paula, my deepest condolences to you and your family for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Paula Sharp
June 5, 2012 @ 5:33 pm
Kathryn,
Thank you for your prayers.
Paula, Melonie and Steve
Clif Webb
June 1, 2012 @ 3:42 pm
Bill was not only the best coach i had, but he was a really nice guy !
Paula Sharp
June 5, 2012 @ 5:32 pm
Cliff,
What good stories Bill had about you as a student.
Thank you,
Paula, Melonie and Steve
Robert VanVleck
June 1, 2012 @ 3:48 pm
Paula, Melonie and Steven thinking of you and knowing Bill is in a good place!
Please except my sincere condolences for your family
Paula Sharp
June 5, 2012 @ 5:29 pm
Robert,
Yes, Bill knew he was going to a better place and he was at peace with that knowledge.
Thank you,
Paula, Melonie & Steve
Susan (Browning) Lindsey
June 2, 2012 @ 8:12 pm
Paula,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Paula Sharp
June 5, 2012 @ 5:26 pm
Susan,
Thank you for your prayers. It is a difficult time and prayer is our only strength.
Love,
Paula
Jeff Barton
June 3, 2012 @ 10:53 am
Coach Sharp did alot more than just teach .He realy cared about his students,he toughht about life and the wonders and dangers that we would soon face ,I will always admire him for this.
Paula Sharp
June 5, 2012 @ 5:22 pm
Jeff,
Thank you, Bill often spoke of you. He enjoyed visiting with you a few years ago.
He was proud of your accomplishments in life.
Paula
Joni Joice
June 4, 2012 @ 7:42 am
Paula, Melonie and family, Bill was one of those rare people who always had a smile and left those he met with one also. He was a loved colleague to me and my oldest son’s favorite teacher. He has many Mr. Sharp quotes and memories and is now a middle school teacher himself. My family and I are thinking of you during this sad time.
Paula Sharp
June 5, 2012 @ 5:17 pm
Joni,
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, Bill was a caring person, he loved you and the children. He often talked about your good times at middle school.
Bill is missed so much by his family. However, he taught us to always go straight through our problems, so in honor of Dad, that’s what we must do.
Love,
Paula
Richard and Lorenda Cochran
June 14, 2012 @ 11:57 am
Paula and Melonie and Steve,
Our hearts is reaching out to you in sympathy, may the comfort of friends and family be your strength. We’re with you in our thoughts in the days ahead. Bill will be missed!