August Russell Wyble
August Russell Wyble loved to laugh. He loved his family, and he loved his cement truck.
"He would hammer that big drum out and make sure it was clean for the next load," said his daughter, Patsy Ann Purdy. "He took pride in everything he did."
Mr. Wyble died at his home Saturday, July 24, 2010. He was 69.
He was born Aug. 1, 1940, in St. Louis to Allen R. and Golda (Jett) Wyble. One of 11 children, he spent most of his childhood in Montgomery City.
He married Mary Mize on July 31, 1964. They lived in Columbia for more than 50 years.
Mr. Wyble worked for Dalton Concrete for 10 years and for Columbia Ready Mix for 21 years. A stroke forced him to retire early in 1994.
Purdy said a former boss of Mr. Wyble's called him one of the best cement truck drivers the company had.
Purdy remembered occasionally riding in the truck with her father when she was young.
She recalled watching one project where several workers were hesitant to back the cement truck into a particularly steep area. Mr. Wyble said he would do it.
"I thought that truck was going to tip over sideways, full of concrete, but he poured the whole wall," Purdy said. "It was awesome watching my dad in action."
Purdy said construction workers always recognized Mr. Wyble by his smile and his laugh.
"My dad had this cackle laugh that would make you laugh even more," Purdy said.
When her dad had retired, Purdy said, some of his former co-workers would grab lunch at the restaurant where she worked.
"They said, 'Boy, your dad always had a smile on his face, and we didn't know what he was smiling about,' " Purdy said.
His wife, Mary Wyble, also remembered his smile.
"When he was in pain, he still had that smile," Mary Wyble said.
Purdy remembered Mr. Wyble as a devoted father.
"He'd give you whatever you needed to survive, even if it was the last $2 in his pocket," she said.
Mary Wyble also remembered her husband's devotion. She said they used to ride motorcycles together.
"We were pretty much together all the time," she said.
The couple was to celebrate their 46th wedding anniversary this week.
"He was just my world," Mary Wyble said. "And he's my best friend."
Mr. Wyble is survived by his daughter, Patsy Ann Purdy, of Columbia; a son, William Thomas Wyble, of Columbia; a granddaughter, Victoria Lane Wyble, of Columbia; and nine brothers and sisters.
A son, August R. Wyble Jr.; a sister, Ann Chamber; and a grandson, Ronald Dale Purdy Jr., died earlier.
There will be no services, at Mr. Wyble's request.
Flowers may be sent to Mary Wyble, 401 Pershing Road, Columbia, MO 65203.
Condolences may be posted online at parkerfuneralservice.com.
