Billy Joe Swearingen, age 85, of Rocky Comfort, Missouri, passed away on Monday, October 5, 2020, at his daughters house in Big Cabin, Oklahoma.  Billy Joe, son of Joe and Ivon (Wilson) Swearingen, was born on December 20, 1934, in Purdy, Missouri.  He was a lifelong resident of Rocky Comfort and graduated from Rocky Comfort High School in 1953.  Mr. Swearingen worked at Eagle Picher Industries in Joplin, Missouri, until he retired.  He loved the outdoors, visiting with family and friends, and going for long drives in the country.  On August 29, 1953, Billy Joe married his high school sweetheart, Jo Ann Killion, also of Rocky Comfort; she preceded him in death on November 20, 2012.

Preceding Billy Joe in death were his parents, Joe and Ivon Swearingen; one brother, Carl Lee Swearingen; three sisters, Thelma Swearingen, Helen Mathis, and Julia Gruber.

Survivors include two daughters, Carol Lynette Steinbach and her husband Danny, of Big Cabin, Oklahoma, and Kristy Jo Goble and her husband Carl, of Cassville; one son, Danny Charles and his wife Renee, of Monett; six grandchildren, Jason Steinbach, Chase Montz, Brittany Pinnell, Zachary Swearingen, Mason Swearingen, Kaehler Swearingen; four great-grandchildren, Stacie Frieze, Vanessa Wells, Bentley Pinnell and Abby Montz; one great-great-grandson, Myles Frieze; and several nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2020, at Dice Cemetery in Fairview, Missouri.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the White Funeral Home prior to service time

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association and entrusted to the White Funeral Home and Crematory, P.O. Box 890, Cassville, MO 65625.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville, Missouri.