Oliver James Bacott, 92, of St. Louis died Jan. 16, 2020, at his home. Mr. Bacott served on the Battleship Pennsylvania BB-38 during World War II. He worked until retirement for AT&T. He also was an active member of the Hillsboro Christian Church. He loved spending time with his family, and he enjoyed nature, hunting, raising homing pigeons, playing billiards and horseshoes. Born Jan. 18, 1927, in St. Louis, he was the son of Ruth (Caulley) and Maurice "Leo" Bacott.
He is survived by his wife of 72 years: Harriett E. (Mossberger) Bacott; eight children: Kathleen (Daniel) Kuennen of Salisbury, Md., Bruce (Linda) Bacott of O'Fallon, Jill (Steven) Bauer of Hillsboro, Lee (Denise) Bacott of Eureka, Christina (Robert) Stergos of St. Louis, Karen (Randy) Weddington of Hillsboro, Brian (Tina) Bacott of Washington and Rebecca (Darren) Gruen of Leasburg; 29 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a brother: Maurice "Moe" Bacott of O'Fallon; a sister: Patricia Murphy of Cedar Hill; and many other family members and friends.
A celebration of life will be held from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at Hillsboro Christian Church, 4865 Hwy. Burial with full military honors was held Jan. 21 in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Memorials may be made to A Seat at the Table, 4176 Flad Ave., St. Louis 63110.