Billy Joe McClain

Billy “Chappy” McClain

Billy Joe McClain, son of the late James Stewart McClain and Minnie (McGowin) McClain was born on December 13, 1941 in Marked Tree, Arkansas and departed his life on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at Mercy Hospital Southeast in Cape Girardeau, Missouri at the age of 84 years.

He was formally an Iron Worker for Local #396 in St. Louis, Missouri where he worked on constructing the St. Louis Arch. Later in his career he was the owner of McClain Construction and a resident of Dexter, Missouri.

On August 30, 1975 he was united in marriage to Brenda Sue Hessling in Bloomfield, Missouri. Mrs. McClain preceded him in death on December 5, 2017.

Survivors include five sons, Mark (Brenda) McClain of Bismark, Missouri; Daniel (Brenda) Slavings of Dexter, Robert (Beth) Slavings of Bernie; Bobby (Teresa) Slavings of Dexter, and Jeff (Natasha) McClain of Bernie; four daughters, Barbara (Randy) Brown of Jefferson City, Michelle (Chris) Waters of Dexter, Tracy (Joe) Smith of Chaffee, Melissa Mclard of Bernie; one sister, Judy Wright of Sebring, Florida; thirty-three grandchildren and forty-nine great-grandchildren; also by a host of family and friends.

Along with his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Billy Jay McClain; two daughters, Debbie Ferguson and Kadie McClain; three brothers, James Kenneth McClain, Bobby Baggett, and J.C. Wright; one grandson, Christopher McClain; and one great-granddaughter, Carmella McClain

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 from noon until 2:00 PM at the Lighthouse Christian Center in Dexter, Missouri. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, with Rev. Tim Russell officiating. Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.

Online Condolences: www.amick-burnetfuneralchapels.com