03/18/2026
Retired Columbia Fire Department Captain Billy Dean Hurt served others for his entire life. From his early service with the Boonville Fire Department to his 25-year career with the Columbia Fire Department, where he retired as a Captain, Billy built a legacy defined by service and a steady commitment to helping people in their time of need and our Fire Service at large. Even after retirement, that sense of purpose never left him. It remained evident in his work at Alex, teaching extrication, and as a race safety crew leader and instructor. All of those retirement projects demonstrated his continued commitment to doing what he had always done so well: protecting others and bringing calm, capable leadership to rescue situations.
Those who knew Billy knew a man who cared deeply about people and our mission. He was respected for his experience, looked to for guidance, and remembered for his natural ability to connect with others. His obituary reflects not only a life of public service but also a life centered on family and relationships that reached far beyond any single organization.
On behalf of the Columbia Fire Department, I share this obituary with deep respect for Billy’s life, his service, and the example he set for others. We are proud to have had him as part of our department and proud of the way he continued to live out the values of service and rescue long after his formal career ended.
For those attending the visitation, service, and burial in the days ahead, we ask that you travel safely, look out for one another, and take time to honor and celebrate a life well lived in service to others. Billy Hurt mattered to many people, in many places, and he will be remembered with gratitude and respect.
Billy Dean Hurt, 65, a resident of Boonville, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Kennedale, Texas.
Billy was born on July 20, 1960, in Bunceton, Missouri, the son of William Maurice Hurt and Helen Josephine (Smith) Hurt.
Billy lived a life centered on service to others. He began his career in the fire service as a volunteer with the Boonville Fire Department and then became a proud member of the Columbia Fire Department, where he served his community for 25 years and retired with the rank of Captain. Billy also worked for Alex Air Apparatus, traveling throughout the State of Missouri as the company’s only service technician, selling and servicing extrication equipment for fire departments and emergency responders.
Billy served as a safety crew leader at dirt tracks across the Central Region of North America. He was known as an expert and instructor of proper rescue extrication procedures at racetracks.
Billy never met a stranger. He had a gift for conversation and could strike up a friendly discussion with anyone, no matter the topic. He was passionate about racing and dedicated countless hours to teaching extrication training to local safety officials and firefighters. In difficult rescue situations, Billy was often the person others looked to for guidance, thanks to his experience and steady leadership.
While he was deeply committed to his work and community, Billy’s greatest joy in life was his grandchildren. Being Papa allowed him to forget the world around him and focus on what mattered most, spending time with them and creating lasting memories.
Billy also loved to cook—especially on the grill—and took pride in being the “grill master.” If Billy planned to cook for 40 people, he would cook for 100, making sure no one ever went hungry. The only exception might be at the racetrack, where his cooking was so popular that people kept coming back for more.
Throughout his life, Billy touched the hearts of many people. The memories made with him, and the kindness he shared so freely, will be cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
He will be sadly missed and forever remembered by his life companion of 28 years Karen Lechner of Boonville; four children, Brandon Hurt and wife Danielle of Wentzville, Brett Hurt and wife Brittany of Boonville, Jenna Lechner and wife Tiffany of Columbia, and Brett Lechner of Boonville; eight grandchildren, Olivia Hurt, Lillian Maule, Addelyn Hurt, Kendall Hurt, Sophia Hurt, Gavin Maule, Cooper Hurt and Jordan Lechner; two brothers, Ronnie Hurt and wife Jean of Bunceton, Darrell Hurt and wife Tammy of Boonville; one sister, Murl Jones and husband Dennis of Bunceton; a large and loving extended family of many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Billy’s family also recognizes the deep impact to the extended family of fire departments across the region as well as the dirt track racing community.
Billy was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Jayden Hurt; two sisters, Debbie Buck and Cindy Hurt.
A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Parker-Millard Funeral Service & Crematory, 12 E. Ash St. Columbia, MO 65203. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2026, at The Crossing, 3615 Southland Dr. Columbia, MO 65201, with a visitation being held one hour prior to the service. Following services Billy will be laid to rest in Pisgah Cemetery in Bunceton.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are suggested to The Missouri Fire Fighters Memorial, c/o Memorial Foundation, 5590 Dunn Dr. Kingdom City, MO 65262 in memo line put note if donation is for the museum or the memorial.
Arrangements are under the direction of Howard-Millard Funeral Home of Boonville and Parker-Millard Funeral Service & Crematory of Columbia. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.howardfh.com
