Archie Henry “Bob” Hale, 97, of Excelsior Springs died May 7, 2023, at Liberty Hospital.

A visitation was held 10-11 a.m. on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at Salem Christian Union Church in Excelsior Springs, followed by a service. Bob was buried at Salem Cemetery following the service. He was born Aug. 28, 1925, in a little house on what is now Highway Y to Archie Loren Hale and Sadie Viola (Sloan) Hale.

Bob was a lifelong resident of Excelsior Springs and was a strong, honest, hardworking, kind, caring, Christian man. He farmed with his father and brothers. They also picked up trash from the town residents’ back doors and hauled water to people that didn’t have city water.

He made many friends throughout his long life. He married Helen Louise (Elliott) Hale in 1945.

After he and Helen had married, he worked with other farmers, helping with everything from Brahma bulls to dairy cows. He worked with Charley Crowley when he was just getting Crowley Furniture started in downtown Excelsior Springs. Some of those jobs were second jobs to help make ends meet when he began the job he would continue for almost 35 years.

In 1954, he started running a rock crusher for the Clay County Highway Department. He drove a dump truck, then he operated a road grader and took great pride in his assigned territory, keeping it maintained year-round. After many years, he became foreman, then supervisor, and finally, superintendent of the department. He suffered a heart attack at age 62 and retired shortly after.

He loved raising cattle and chickens on his farm; and working in his shop, tearing things apart for scrap metal; and helping family, neighbors and friends fix things.

He had a strong sense of family and always enjoyed family and church gatherings, but he especially enjoyed life, looking forward to each day and every birthday party, of which he had many. He will be missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, of 69 years; an infant daughter, Deborah Lynn Hale; his parents; his sister, Ruby Madeline (Hale) Colvin; and his brothers, Dorsey Bert Hale and Carl “Dink” Lee Hale.

He is survived by his sister, Lola Grace (Hale) Arnold; sons, Richard Wayne Hale (Sandy), William “Bill” Loren Hale (Sharon), Chriss Eugene Hale and Jeffrey Lynn Hale; daughters, Barbara Louise (Hale) Whitmire and Pamela Renee (Hale) Goodwine (Bryan); grandchildren, Haley Lou (Hamilton) Keller (Matt), Alicia Fay (Hamilton) Moore (Jamie), William “Billy” Loren Hale Jr. (Miari), Rachel Renee (Abeh) Grosz (Tyler), Dalton Henry Goodwine and Garrett Christopher Hale; greatgrandchildren, Corbin Michale Sochocki (Lais), Matthew Cyrus Keller, Emma Leigh Keller (Anthony), Sadie Grace Moore, Sylvia Caroline Moore, Hale Eldon Grosz, Gretta Lee Grosz and Beau Henry Grosz; and great-great grandson, Callum Michale Sochocki.

Arrangement: Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Excelsior Springs. Phone: 816-630-3131.