He was born in Linn Creek to Ansel Ray and Lydia Isabelle Leffert Handy. His mother, Isabelle Winebrenner, survives in Camdenton. He was married on December 28, 1974 in Mt. Pleasant to Linda Kay Shackelford who survives at the home. Other survivors include two sons, Darrin G. Handy and Alex R. Handy, both of Eldon; two granddaughters; three brothers, Ray Handy, Oregon; Jewell Handy, Columbia; and Warren Handy, Camdenton; and a sister, Queenie Wilkey, Camdenton. He was a member of the Mr. Pleasant Christian Church. Memorials are suggested to the Gene Handy Memorial Fund. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam Era. He was employed with Sayers Tool & Die Company, Camdenton; Osage Products, Eldon; and Carrousel International, Eldon.