| Billy F.
Gwaltney - General Manager & CEO -
Mid-Missouri Energy, Inc.
Billy Franklin Gwaltney, age 49, passed away at his home on Monday, October 22, 2007. Born June 5th, 1958, in Leavenworth, Kansas, he was the only son of the late William F. Gwaltney and Mary Sue Albin Gwaltney-Rowan. On March 1, 1982, he married Rebecca Lynn Warga in Sedalia Mo. Upon moving to Malta Bend, he became an active member of the Malta Bend United Methodist Church and community. Mr. Gwaltney attended high school in Lincoln, Missouri, before entering the US Army for active duty in 1976. Following service to his country he graduated from State Fair Community College in Sedalia, Missouri, with an Academic Arts degree in 1982, and graduated from University of Missouri (Rolla) with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering in 1984. Mr. Gwaltney worked for Cargill from 1984 until 2004, serving that company in Dayton, Ohio, Eddyville, Iowa, Blair, Nebraska and Dalhart, Texas. While employed by Cargill he gained vast experience in wet corn milling serving as General Operations Superintendent of Feed Products for Cargill North American Sweeteners at six plants, then Operations leader of Sweet Bran Texas Project and later, Operations Manager for Feed Products Group for Cargill North American Sweeteners at 9 plants. In 2004, Mr. Gwaltney was employed by Mid-Missouri Energy, Inc., as General Manager/CEO of the producer owned ethanol at Malta Bend, Missouri. His leadership at MME throughout the completion of construction and successful operations helped bring national recognition to the Malta Bend facility and community. Known to his family, friends, employees and business colleagues as simply “Billy”, he brought high energy and enthusiasm, tremendous management and motivational skills, and a team leadership style that brought admiration from many. Billy was one of a kind and many said God broke the mold after Billy. Recalling days growing up when he gave grief to his family for his poor choices, Billy was proud, as he should be, for the man he became. He believed in God. He believed in being fair and treating people the way he would want to be treated. He never met a person he did not like and never had an employee he did not care about. He believed a company should not be satisfied being “good” when they could be “great” and that was a matter of choice. A devoted husband and loving father, Billy enjoyed weekends when he could take his family for fun boating on nearby lakes. Time with his family sailing at sea will always be cherished. Billy was currently serving as Chairman of the Board at Malta Bend United Methodist Church, a member of the Board of Directors of Renewable Products Marketing Group, a member of Renewable Fuels Association, the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition, the Marshall-Saline Economic Development Corporation, Marshall Chamber of Commerce, and Waverly Lions Club. He will long be remembered as a very giving person and strong supporter of youth and FFA programs. Mr. Gwaltney was preceded in death by his father, William F. Gwaltney and step father Forrest William Rowan. Billy is survived by his wife Rebecca and son, William, both of Malta Bend, Mo., and his daughter, Sarah of Marshall, Mo., his mother, Sue Rowan of Malta Bend, Mo., three sisters including Jean Canning of Port Charlotte, Fl., Kay Hagan of Sedalia, Mo., and Mindy Rigby of Malta Bend, Mo. He is also survived by several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and many, many beloved friends. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, October 27, 2007 at Malta Bend High School Gymnasium with Rev. Amanda Taylor officiating. Burial will be in Malta Bend Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8:00 p.m., Friday at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Marshall and memorials may be made to Malta Bend United Methodist Church or Malta Bend FFA Chapter. |