April 14, 2005

Cape Girardeau, Mo. - Billie J. Lewis, 76, a charter member of the Southeast Missouri State Athletic Booster Club, died Tuesday, April 12, 2005 at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Lewis was one of the founders of the Booster Club in 1953.

Lewis moved to Cape Girardeau in 1938 and was involved with the family business, Wimpy's Restaurant on North Kingshighway from 1942 to 1973. He then owned and operated the restaurant on South Kingshighway until retiring in 1997.

Lewis joined with several other Cape Girardeau business leaders to found the Booster Club in 1953 and served on the Board of Directors until the time of his death. He was treasurer fro 25 years.

"Bill Lewis was a tremendous supporter of all the atletic teams at Southeast and seldom missed a football or basketball game," said Greg Brune, Director of Athletic Development at Southeast. "He always had a joke ready and provided a tremendous service by serving for treasurer for all those years. He will be missed."

Survivors include his wife Florence; two sisters, Frieda Howard and Leta Bahn of Cape Girardeau; and two brothers, Frank and Freeman Lewis of Cape Girardeau.

Funeral services for Lewis will be at 10 a.m. Friday at First Presbyberian Church in Cape Girardeau. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.