Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Teacher

Notes:

Willie Mae Viertel Grissom
Willie Mae passed away at the age of 95 on November 10th, 2021. She was born September 3rd, 1926, in Boonville, MO to William and Dorsey Mae Viertel. Growing up alongside her younger sister Jo Anita Viertel and her older sister Mary Doris Stephens, they created and shared wonderful memories made on the family farm in Lamine, MO.

Willie earned her Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Lindenwood College in 1948, Master of Education in Physical Education from the University of Missouri in 1966, then her Doctor of Education in Physical Education and Dance at the University of Missouri in 1970. She had a long teaching career spanning from Boonville Public schools, Las Vegas Public Schools, to a Professor of Dance at Indiana State University from 1970 to 2000.

Though achieving great successes in her career, her life wouldn't have been fulfilled without her children John Patrick Grissom and Jo Dell Grissom-Proctor. Raising her two children as a single mother proved to be challenging at times. However, she fought through adversity and provided them with every opportunity she could.

Lifeguarding, ice skating, snow skiing, sailing, horseback riding, gardening and of course dancing, Willie proved to be a woman of an endless amount of talent and energy. She also enjoyed needlepoint, opera, collecting antiques, and restoring and decorating her historical home in Indiana.

Taking on the responsibility of the family farm after her younger sister's death, she began to commute from Indiana to Missouri at the age of 73. For the preceding 10 years, she managed to preserve the home and was able to host many holidays and family gatherings.

In her late 80s, along with her three cats, Willie moved down to Texas to be with her daughter and family. She would live there for the next 8 years surrounded by love. She is survived by her daughter, Jo Dell Grissom-Proctor, (Scott); grandchildren Katie Mae Proctor and Jesse Hermanson; and a great-granddaughter, Stella Hermanson. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, and son John Patrick Grissom.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, November 18th from 12:00 -2:00 PM at William-Wood Funeral Home, 517 4th St, Boonville, MO 65233 with a graveside service to follow in Walnut Grove Cemetery in Boonville.

Family/Spouse: Grissom, Cloyd Hulen. Cloyd was born on 22 Oct 1914 in Van Buren, Arkansas, USA; died in 1975 in Tucson, Pima, Arizona, USA; was buried in 1975 in Evergreen Memorial Park, Tucson, Pima, Arizona, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]