Billy Baldwin Sr.

Billy Arnold Baldwin Sr., 88, of Charter Oak, Missouri, (rural Catron) died Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at the Arbors at Capetown in Cape Girardeau.

Billy was born April 24, 1934, in Charter Oak to Arzie and Bertie Barnett Baldwin. He and Rebecca Sue Stobaugh were married on June 26, 1954, in Hernando, Mississippi. Three children -- Tamara, Billy Jr. and Chris -- were born to their union. They were married for nearly 59 years before Rebecca's death April 28, 2013.

Billy served in the U.S. Army from 1954-56 and was stationed in Pirmasens, Germany. After his service, he used the G.I. Bill to earn his G.E.D. and attend mechanics' school. While Rebecca was completing her teaching degree at Arkansas State Teachers College, they lived in Conway, Arkansas, where Billy worked as a mechanic.

When they moved back to Missouri, he worked for the Mahan-Radcliffe Cotton Gin in rural Parma, Missouri, and farmed. In 1962 he opened Bill's Repair and Welding Shop in Charter Oak and worked on automobiles, farm equipment and anything with an engine. After closing his shop in the early 1990s, he farmed 160 acres for a neighbor and served as a Jacques Seed distributor for a number of years. He also worked in farm and home sales at Homestead's in Sikeston, Missouri. For over 30 years Billy served as the treasurer of the Elk Township (Stoddard County) Road Board, helping to oversee the construction and maintenance of bridges and roads in the township.

In 1976 he received his private pilot's license, an accomplishment of which he was very proud. He loved camping at Sam A. Baker and Arrowhead campgrounds near Grassy, Missouri, and attending bluegrass music festivals there and at numerous other locations. He enjoyed playing his upright acoustic bass in jam sessions at these festivals and in the homes, shops and barns of his bluegrass family. In recent years, he enjoyed playing cards and "loafing" at the "card shack" on Highway D near Dexter, Missouri, with old friends. Billy enjoyed the outdoors and fished and hunted with family and friends much of his life, and he was an avid collector of pocket knives and old marbles. He was known for his sense of humor and his ability to have multiple jokes or funny stories at the ready to share. He was also a past member of the Essex, Missouri, Lions Club.

As a youth, Billy was baptized into the Baptist faith.

Survivors include his daughter, Tamara Baldwin Sessoms of Cape Girardeau; two sons, Billy Jr. and Chris Baldwin, both of Charter Oak; five grandchildren, Blake (Ashley) Kendrick, Brandon (Jordan) Kendrick, Megan (Ross) Hoover, Haley Baldwin and Clayton Baldwin; stepgrandchildren, Deidre Sessoms (David DeNuzzo), Hank (Shannon) Sessoms; four great-grandchildren, Brooks Kendrick, Laken Hoover, Jayce Kendrick, and Hadley Kendrick; three step-great-grandchildren, Trey Sessoms, Alex DeNuzzo and Jace DeNuzzo; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-laws, Glenda and Jerry Barber of Dexter, Margaret and Walton Weaver of Beaumont, Texas, Jan and Allen Powell of Dexter, Jeannine McCoy of Lubbock, Texas, Pauline Baldwin of Cuba, Missouri, Pat Baldwin of Dexter, Irene Baldwin of Jackson and Randal Breece of Jackson; and a host of nieces, nephews and other beloved extended family and friends. He is also survived by his dear grand-dogs, including Gus, Patch and Ben, with whom he spent the most time.

Billy was preceded in death by his wife, Rebecca; his parents; father- and mother-in-law, Avery and Martha Stobaugh; son-in-law, Henry Sessoms Sr.; six brothers, Albert, Arzie Jr., Raleigh, Harold, Ron and Rick Baldwin; three sisters, Mary Swinger, Polly Pannebecker and Cassandra Breece; brothers-in-law, Harry Swinger, Roy Pannebecker and Larry Jones; sisters-in-law, Hazel Baldwin and Kathy Jones; and the family's beloved chihuahua, Bitty.

For the last year of his life, Billy was unable to live independently and safely in his home in his beloved Charter Oak. For the past eight months he resided in the Arbors at Capetown in Cape Girardeau. The family would like to acknowledge the staff at the Arbors for its loving care and attention shown to Billy and the compassionate care provided by Crown Hospice personnel during his final weeks.

Visitation will be from 5 until 8 p.m. Tuesday at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

Funeral will then be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Interment with full military honors will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

The funeral service will be live streamed. Visit Billy's obituary Wednesday at mathisfuneralhomes.com to access a link for the webcast in his service information.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Larry and Kathy Jones Family H.O.P.E. Campaign, P.O. Box 1785, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 or the charity of choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.mathisfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Billy-Arnold-Baldwin-Sr?obId=25273026#/obituaryInfo.