Wood, Billie Joe March 14, 1931 - February 18, 2023

Billie Joe Wood, Weaubleau, Missouri was born March 14, 1931, to George Lewis and Helen Lucile (Dietz) Wood and passed away February 18, 2023, at the age of 91.

Joe grew up in the Quincy, Iconium, and Harper, Missouri communities. He attended elementary school in several one room schoolhouses around the different places they lived. He attended Weaubleau High School and graduated in 1948. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in December of 1951 and served in the Korean Conflict until December of 1955. During his time in the Air Force he was stationed in England, Holland, Germany, and in the states of Arizona, Texas, Georgia and in New Jersey.

On August 26, 1955, he was united in marriage to Beverly Ruth Zeiler. Unto this union two children were born: Rodger Layne and Billie Paul. Following his discharge they lived and farmed in Clinton, Missouri until 1963 when they purchased a farm near Quincy, Missouri where he, Beverly, and their sons lived and farmed until Beverly’s passing in 1982. Joe continued to run cattle, grow row crops, and hay for many years. Joe was very proud of his farm and enjoyed working hard and keeping it looking nice. He lived there until the time of his death.

Joe enjoyed family and friends, particularly visits from his cousins, both locally and out of state. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with family and friends. He had many stories of adventures him and Larry, Wilford, Donald, and M.C.  had during pheasant hunting trips to South Dakota or gigging trips on the river. Joe built his own deer hunting “condo” on his property for his hunting family and friends to enjoy. Joe was very proud of his two sons, his 3 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren who lovingly called him Papa Joe. He was a member of Goshen Primitive Baptist Church in Harper, MO, where he was a firm believer in the Doctrine of Grace. He faithfully occupied his pew on the west side of the pulpit by the window often crowded by his grands and greats. There was always a lot of candy wrapper noise from that pew, as he supplied the little ones with all the sugar they wanted during church. Joe, his father George and brother Mike operated a real estate business for many years in the Wheatland and Weaubleau areas. He was also a realtor for Stewart and Keifer in Osceola.

Joe was a very talented wood worker and built many pieces of furniture throughout his lifetime. He was actively building furniture through the summer of 2022 when his health began to decline. The children, grandchildren, and family have many wooden items made by Joe.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, George and Helen Wood, his wife Beverly, two sisters: Mary Lee Wood, and Jeraldine Acker, two brothers-in-law: M.C. Shepherd and Wilford Acker, in-laws: Elmer and Ruth Zeiler and brother-in-law Donald and wife Leta Zeiler, two nieces: Katherine Acker, Beth (Acker) Bray, and one nephew Timothy Shepherd.

He is survived by his sons: Rodger and wife Carolyn Wood of Springfield, MO, Bill and wife Cynthia Wood of Weaubleau, MO, grandchildren: Johanna and husband Jamie Crump of Springfield, MO, Joshua and wife LaTasha Wood of Weaubleau, MO, Amanda and husband Jordan Lewton of Wheatland, MO, great-grandchildren: Brynlee and Braelyn Wood of Weaubleau, MO, Reid and Rhett Lewton of Wheatland, MO. A sister Jane Shepherd of Bonner Springs, KS, two brothers: Larry and wife Orene Wood of Weaubleau, MO, Mike Wood of Wheatland, MO, a great number of nieces and nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Ozarks Honor Flight or the Goshen Primitive Baptist Church in care of the Sheldon-Goodrich Funeral Home.