George August Randall, age 97, of Webb City, passed away Saturday April 16, 2022 at Freeman Hospital in Joplin. George, son of the late John and Mary (Peters) Randall was born on December 28, 1924 in a one room sod home on the Randall homestead in Sioux County, in western Nebraska. He attended a one room school house beginning when he was 4 years old. He also attended secondary schools in Mitchell and Scottsbluff and graduated from Scottsbluff High School in 1942. To his regret he was not able to enlist and serve in World War II. During the war he worked the family ranch and when it ended he attended Phillips University in Enid, OK. While attending Phillips he met the love of his life, Willa Carter. They were united in marriage on September 22, 1950 in Enid. George completed his Bachelor of Arts and Divinity Degrees from Phillips University and together he and Willa began their passion of spreading the love of Jesus Christ to all. George served as a student minister in churches in Wilmot, KS, Waynoka, OK and Checotah, OK while he was in seminary. After graduating he began ministering as a Disciples of Christ minister and pastored churches in Chester, NE, Bellevue, NE, Ft Morgan, CO, Hastings, NE, Joplin, MO and Matthews, MO before retiring and moving to Texas where they resided from 1989 until 2015. In 2015 they moved to Webb City. After moving back to the Joplin area they were active at South Joplin Christian Church, Joplin Area Association of the Blind, and the Webb City Senior Center.
Survivors include his wife, Willa C. Randall, Webb City, five children and their spouses, Mary (Mike) Wallace, Broken Arrow, OK, John (Pam) Randall, Forest Grove, OR, Willa (Steve) Hoenshell, Joplin, David (Colleen) Randall, Nassau Bay, TX, Sara (Kirk) Metts, Joplin, and daughter-in-law Sherrie Randall, Shawnee, OK, 16 grandchildren: Jessie Randall, Shawn (Michelle) Wallace, Cameron (Ashley) Wallace, Janae (Daniel) Castell, Sara Beth (Jesus) Esqueda, Rachel (Nick Lowery) Randall, Ian (Michelle) Randall, Annelise Randall, Brook (Shandon) Walker, Brittany (Austin) Lepper, Mark Randall, Josh Randall, Aubrey (Kevin) Vo, Austin (Ashten) Metts, Kasey (Will) Buffington, Kristin (Brent) Farrell, and 27 great-grandchildren: Layla, Ariana, Mattias, Emily, Austin, Luke, Violet, Kenzie, William, Charlotte, Michael, Adelaide, Sierra, Zoe, Finn, Sage, Alaya, Caymen, Skylynne, Adalyn, Anna Jo, Xander, Elliott, William, June, Theodore, and Corinth, and 28 nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by three brothers, John, Alfred, and Leadore, and one son, George August Randall Jr.
Celebration of Life services will be held on Saturday April 23, 2022 at 11 AM at Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary in Joplin with Reverend Dr. Colleen Carroll, South Joplin Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and grandson, Shawn Wallace, Senior Pastor, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Rogers, AR with burial to be held at a later date. Visitation with the family for friends and loved ones will be Friday April 22nd from 5-7 PM at Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary. Memorial contributions may be made to South Joplin Christian Church and may be entrusted to the mortuary.
Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin.