Nelson “Bill” W. Rex
Nelson “Bill” W. Rex, 75, of Waterloo, died May 27, 2015, in St. Louis.

He was born Oct. 6, 1939, in St. Louis, son of the late Nelson Edward and Florence M. Rex (nee Rupp).

Bill helped his parents at the family grocery store in Webster Groves, Mo. He was a Cub Scout, and his keen knowledge of horticulture led to him becoming a florist and opening Rex Florist in the mid-1970s; he moved the business to Waterloo in 1979 and operated there until 2001.

Bill was a history lover and storyteller. He was the author of five popular books featuring local history, including “Grand Legacy: A History of Monroe County, Illinois.”

He is survived by his wife, Doris Rex (nee Gummersheimer); brother-in-law and sister-in-law Victor and Dee Gummersheimer cousins Richard (Virginia) Rex, Barbara (Robert) Roux, and Warren (Lettie) Goehringer; nephew Michael (Stephanie) Gummersheimer; nieces Melissa (Paul) DeHart and Melinda (Steve) Wegmann; cousin-in-law Jackie Maurer; and great-nieces and great-nephew Zachary and Kristin Gummersheimer and Tessa and Rianna DeHart.

Visitation will be May 30, from 4 to 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home, and May 31, from 1 to 2 p.m., at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Columbia.

Funeral services will be May 31, at 2 p.m., at the church,  Pastor Bob Goddard officiating .

Interment will follow at Kolmer Memorial Cemetery, Waterloo.

As an expression of sympathy, memorials may be made to: Humane Society of Monroe County, Humane Society of Missouri, St. Joseph’s Indian School, St. Paul United Church of Christ in Columbia, or St. Labre Indian School.