William Leavitt Christie, 92, son of Duncan H. and Amelia Leavitt Christie, was born July 12, 1914, in St. Louis. He died July 5, 2007, at Houston House Nursing Center.
Mr. Christie grew up in Houston, graduated from Houston High School in 1932 and attended the Rolla School of Mines.
He married Cynthia Funk Oct. 24, 1938, at Hermann. They had three children.
Mr. Christie was a member of the United Methodist Church in Houston, a long-time member of the Houston Lions Club and served on the school board for many years. He was active in city government, serving on the city council, as mayor and became the city’s first supervisor in 1965.
Beginning in the ’30s, he operated Christie Dairy on the family farm, Glen Wood Stock Farm, delivering milk to many Houston homes until 1966. During the ’50s, he also worked for the Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service. He raised beef cattle until the ’90s.
He was an avid outdoorsman, who especially loved float fishing. He floated all the rivers in Texas County and the surrounding area.
He was known for his knowledge of Houston, his wit and perfect attendance at the local coffee shops.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Carl; his wife; and special friend, Florence Pugh.
Surviving are his sons, Arthur Christie of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Dan Christie of Ballwin; daughter, Mary Kathryn Wills of Higginsville; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren
Services were July 9 at the Evans Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Howell Burkhead officiating. Burial was in the Pine Lawn Cemetery.
