Richard Lee Verch

Richard (Rick) Lee Verch, 80, of Billings passed away on Sunday, October 26, 2025, with his family by his side. He was born Feb. 23, 1945, in California to Eugene and Lorene Verch.
He attended Billings schools and graduated in 1963. After graduation, he relocated to Okmulgee, Okla., where he earned a degree in welding and diesel mechanics. During his time there, he met Margie, whom he married on June 19, 1965. They celebrated more than 50 wonderful years together.
He dedicated his time as a shop foreman at Springfield Tractor Company for many years before starting his own business, Verch Repair, in Billings. He had a knack for mechanics, and no job was too complicated for him to tackle. He was an incredibly hard worker. Along with maintenance repairs for daily drivers, he regularly serviced local farmers’ equipment, as well as all of the Cox Health ambulances in Republic and Stone County.
Aside from his mechanic profession, he was a Billings City Watchman and a Billings school bus driver for many years. In his downtime he enjoyed watching sports, Western movies, and game shows. His very favorite things, however, were being all together with his family, cheering on his grandchildren in sports, and attending truck pulls with his sons.
He was a devoted Christian, husband, dad, papa, uncle, and dear friend to many.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Margie; his parents; his mother and father-in-law; and his brothers-in-law Don Wheeler and Rick Quinn.
He is survived by his four sons, Johnny (Coleena), Rob (Julie), Gary (Natalie), and Ryan (Chrissie); his 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one sister, Patricia Wheeler; sister-in-law Darla Quinn; niece, Donna (Bill) Hillman; nephew, Roger (Rhonda) Wheeler, and a multitude of other extended family and many friends.
A visitation was held from 5-8 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 3, at Meadors Funeral Home, Billings. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at St. Peter’s Evangelical United Church of Christ in Billings. Burial followed at St. Peter’s UCC Cemetery, Billings.
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Lawrence County Record
312 S. Hickory St.
Mt. Vernon, MO, 65712
www.lawrencecountyrecord.com