William "Chris" Elcan, age 81, of Chesterfield, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 18, at Friendship Village Hospice Care in Chesterfield, with his family by his side.
He was born November 9, 1944, in Magnolia, AR, to Joseph John and Christine McKissack Elcan. on a Jersey cattle farm that processed and delivered milk. From a young age, he helped on the Elcan dairy farm.
Chris graduated from Waldo High School in 1962. He attended Henderson State College, where he met his wife, Becky Butler of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. They married on November 19, 1965, and three children came to bless this union: Kim, Kay and Bill.
Chris started his career with Budweiser in Camden, AR, as a truck driver. After moving to Little Rock, Arkansas, he started his corporate career with Anheuser-Busch, which led to many moves-- including Kansas City, Omaha, and Atlanta-- as an assistant to the regional manager. He finally landed in Warrenton, Missouri, where he purchased Dustman Distributing. His wholesale career spanned 26 years until his retirement in 2005. The lifelong friendships he built in the beer business were truly one of the highlights of his life.
Chris and Becky enjoyed many European trips together, as well as traveling throughout the western United States. They thoroughly enjoyed spending their summers and winters at their Breckenridge, CO, home, where he enjoyed hiking, skiing, and working in the flower garden. They moved to Friendship Village in Chesterfield, in May of this year.
Chris was a fun-loving guy and the life of the party. Anyone he met was an instant friend for life, and he would do anything to bring a smile to your face.
Chris was proceeded in death by his parents; two siblings, Patricia Dowden and Frank Elcan: and his sister-in-law, Angie Elcan.
Chris is survived by his wife of 60 years, Becky Elcan; his daughters, Kim Graman and husband Bob (lake St. Louis) and Kay Elcan Hake and Matt Hake (Columbia); his son Bill Elcan and wife Lane (Washington); seven grandchildren, Abby Sneller, Christopher Graman, Alex Hake, Robert Graman, Lily Elcan, Olivia Hake, and Liam Elcan; and his brother-in-law, Hal Dowden of Heavener, OK.
Visitation services will be held on Sunday, August 9, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home in Warrenton. Funeral services will be held Monday, August 10, at 11 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Warrenton, with Pastor Klaustermeier officiating, A brief visitation at the church will begin at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Chris's memory to the Alzheimer's Association at alz.org.
