William J. “Dude” Lankford, a 93-year-old resident of Trenton, died on Thursday night, July 5, 2018 at Wright Memorial Hospital in Trenton.
His body was cremated under the direction of Slater Funeral Home at Trenton.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at the Hodge Presbyterian Church in Trenton with Rev. Steve Merrin officiating. Inurnment will be in Maple Grove Cemetery at Trenton.
Mr. Lankford was born on May 1, 1925 in Spickard, the son of Ervin and Effie Hickman Lankford. He attended Spickard School and joined the U.S. Navy in 1944 during World War II. After his service, he studied agriculture before marrying Nina Louise Brown at Trenton on Oct. 2, 1949. They farmed for 55 years before retiring and moving to Trenton in 2005.
His family and friends will truly miss his sense of humor and his kindness and generosity to them. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, mushroom hunting and sports, but he especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren in any sport or activity. After retiring, his favorite pastime was going for early morning coffee and visiting with friends.
His survivors include his wife, Nina, the love of his life for 68 years; one son, Benny (Debbie) Lankford of Princeton; two daughters, Beverly (Mike) Bosley and Gloria (Olen) Stephens, all of Trenton; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Marian Blacksten of Kansas City.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Wendell Lankford; two sisters, Pauline Hale Lynch and Francis Beverlin Milner; one grandson, Ryan Bosley; three great-grandchildren Izabella, Tegan and Tatum Leeper; and one infant great-great-granddaughter, Elyna Ann Shimer.
Memorials are suggested to the donor’s own church family.
Online condolences may be left at www.slatersfuneralhome.com
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