William Michael McKenzie

William Michael McKenzie age 80, of Florissant, MO, formally of Barry, IL, was called to his eternal home on Friday December 1, 2023.  He was born on November 2, 1943, in Blackwater, MO to M.J. and Buelah Mae Evans McKenzie.  He married the love of his life Karen Elizabeth Wybert on June 23,1963 and she preceded him in death on October 8, 2021.

Mike graduated from Moberly High School in 1961 and went on to Moberly Jr. College until 1963.  Mike then attended Missouri University from 1971-1974 and finished his schooling at The Faith Bible Institute.

Mike was a working pastor for over 60 years.  He made a promise to his father never to stop preaching the gospel and he kept his promise until the day he was called home.  He pastored at several churches over the years including the Barry Baptist Christian Yoke, which he was instrumental in bringing the churches together.  He later went to the Plainville Baptist Church where he called home from 2009 – 2021.  After Karen passed, he moved to Florissant, Mo to be closer to family and begin his journey with the Lindsay Lane Baptist Church where he assisted with the music and still preached on occasion.

 Mike had a wondrous voice and recorded several songs.  He worked for T.V. stations, radio stations, was a columnist for the Liberty Bee and The Paper in Barry, IL.  He was a member of the Plainville Lions Club, Barry Apple Festival Committee, Addicts Victorious, and a loyal volunteer at the New Life Evangelistic Center. He would help anybody in need without hesitation.  Mike was a World War II history buff and loved watching war movies and westerns.  He was an avid reader and never went anywhere without his Bible.  His true love after God was his family, whom he loved with his whole heart.  Mike was a loving, kind, and a generous man. He was the epitome of a good and faithful servant. 

Mike is survived by two sons, David McKenzie of Carterville, IL and Douglas (Kathy) McKenzie of St. Peters, MO; two daughters Amy (Shane) Parrish of Florissant, MO and Debra Ulrich of Arthur, Iowa; one son-in-law Allen (Lindsey) Flynn of Plainville, IL; fifteen grandchildren, Katelyn McKenzie, Cole McKenzie, , Kelsie (Keenan) Sappington, Alexis (Dan) Williams, Jordan Flynn, Chrissy (Jeremy)  Stevens, Ashley (Travis) Webb, Jason (Emily) Beger, Kyle Beger, Kaela Beger, Lil Ashley Painter, Madison (Ryan) Saldana’, Marlee Parrish, Mia Parrish, Sierra Schmidt; fifteen great-grandchildren, Haylee, Addison, Elijah, and Bryar Sappington, Ariella and Mireya Williams, Annabelle and Joshua Stevens, Elsie and Noella Webb, Seth Painter, Jaxon, Kora and Ryker Smith, Alexander Beger; one sister, Betty Guittar of Kansas City, MO.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Karen; one daughter Meleah Joy Flynn; one great-grandson, 22-month-old Kaeden Michalak; one grandchild in infancy; five great grandchildren in infancy; one brother Edward McKenzie; one sister Dorothy (Dan) Knapp; one broth-in-law Buford Guittar.

Funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday December 8, 2023, at First Baptist Church of Plainville, IL.  Interment will follow at Park Lawn Cemetery in Barry, IL. Visitation will be held on Friday December 8, 2023, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM prior to the service.  Memorials are suggested to be made to the Plainville First Baptist Church, Lindsay Lane Baptist Church or the Murrow Indian Childrens Home.  Online condolences may be left to the family at www.nieburfh.com.  Niebur Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements. 

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