Businessman Bill Cantrell dies on Thanksgiving

Springfield businessman Bill Cantrell died on Thanksgiving at age 93.

Cantrell wore many hats during his life, including those of banker, city councilman, author and restaurateur, according to his obituary posted online by Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.

Cantrell's career included:

• achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps;
• leading the Springfield Public Schools Board of Education as president 1969-1977;
• serving on Springfield City Council June 1984-April 1987;
• opening Billy's Chili restaurant north of Missouri State University, which closed in 1989;
• owning Glasgow Men's Wear from 1945 until selling it in 1976;
• working as senior vice president of Centerre Bank after selling Glasgow Men's Wear until his retirement in 1988;
• co-founding Signature Bank in 1993; and
• writing "Friends, Dear Friends, and Heroes," an autobiography he published in 1997.

“He had quite the varied career in the military, banking and local government, and he achieved a lifelong dream when he opened Billy's Chili,” Springfield Mayor Bob Stephens said in a news release. “We are thankful for his legacy of service to Springfield.”

Cantrell was preceded in death by his wives, Mary Alice Cantrell, in 2006, and Bobbie Sue Cantrell, in 1988. He is survived by his daughter, Robin Cantrell Hogg; his son, Dennis Robert Cantrell; and four grandchildren.