MARSHFIELD, Mo. — On August 26, 2026, Webster County Northern Commissioner Dale Fraker announced that he had tendered his resignation from office.
Fraker cited a recent health scare as the reason for his decision, saying the experience caused him to re-evaluate the importance of his family, his health, and the toll that the stress of public service can take on both.
Fraker made the announcement with his wife, Marta, and son, Kile, by his side, along with a number of county officials. He concluded his remarks by reading Theodore Roosevelt’s powerful and well-known passage, “The Man in the Arena.”
Fraker took office in January 2017. During his nearly decade-long tenure, he played an instrumental role in the construction of the Webster County Justice Center and numerous successful road and infrastructure projects, including construction of Gourley Ford Bridge, the county’s largest bridge.
He also provided steady leadership during some of the county’s most challenging years, helping guide Webster County through the unprecedented difficulties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under Missouri law, Governor Mike Kehoe will appoint a successor to complete Fraker’s current term, which expires December 31, 2028.
While that process is underway, the remaining members of the Webster County Commission have appointed lifelong county resident Billy Crawford, 64, of Marshfield, to serve as interim Associate Commissioner for the Northern District.
Crawford is well-known throughout Webster County as part-owner of Crawford Tire Shop, a family business founded in 1964. He and his wife of 44 years, Brenda (Todd) Crawford, originally of Seymour, have three sons and six grandchildren. Crawford attends Four Rivers Church in Marshfield.
Circuit Judge Chuck Replogle will conduct a brief swearing-in ceremony for Crawford at 8:00 a.m. Friday, September 11. Crawford will assume his official duties and attend his first County Commission meeting on Monday, September 28.
