Bill Bauer, 88

Funeral services for Bill Bauer, 88, of Pontiac, were held Aug. 16, 2022, in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home chapel in Gainesville. 

He died Aug. 11, at Baxter Health in Mountain Home, Arkansas. He was born March 8, 1934 in St. Louis to William and Ida Mae (Dierkes) Bauer. 

Bill was a veteran. He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict for two years. 

He worked the majority of his life as a printer. He began early as an apprentice, worked his way up the ladder and finished out his career as vice president of Northwest Graphics, a company he helped build from the ground up.

He and his family loved Bull Shoals Lake and began vacationing here in the late 1960s. After he retired, Bill moved to Pontiac in 2000 where he loved to fish, garden, visit with friends and try out every gadget he could purchase from the “as seen on TV” infomercials. He loved to buy and give them as gifts to his family. 

Bill was also very vital in starting the Pontiac “Light up the Lake” fireworks show, which has become a local favorite. He helped organize the event for 16 years. 

Shortly after moving to Pontiac a mutual friend of Bill’s introduced him to Lois (Karas), and the couple were married on July 11, 2003. Bill was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He loved everyone and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. 

He is survived by his wife Lois Bauer of the home; three children Tari Hathcock and husband Bob of Columbia, Tricia Crawford and husband Brian of Cabot, Arkansas, Doug Bauer and wife Jan of Ballwin; five grandchildren: Sarah Hathcock, Megan Doty, Caleb Hathcock, Melissa Crawford and Katelyn Crawford; and a host of friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, 55 W. Wacker Drive Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601. Arrangements are under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville.