William Voelker

William Ray Voelker, 85, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, April 2, 2013, at Jackson Manor in Jackson.

He was born April 11, 1927, in Cape Girardeau, son of William F. Voelker, Francis Beal Schaaf and stepfather, Anton Schaaf.

William joined the Army at age 23 in 1950, weighing 90 pounds and standing only 4 feet 10 inches tall. He hurt his back in boot camp at Fort Leonard Wood and spent the next two years as head cook in the officers' mess until he received an honorable discharge in 1952.

He was an avid fisherman, hunter, gardener and loved woodworking. He and his wife Shirley lived in Pocahontas for 30 years where he had a woodworking shop. When he knew of a new church opening, he would build a special cross for them to hang in the new church. His barns and towns are still displayed at West End Tavern and Grocery in Frohna, Mo. Even after he could no longer use his tools, he continued to teach anyone who was interested in woodworking, or just ride his motorized wheelchair around town visiting neighbors.

He tamed wild rabbits, hunted ginseng and collected driftwood. When he wasn't working in his shop, he loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Christmas was his favorite holiday. Every Christmas Eve, he would collect toys and food for families he knew would go without on Christmas Day, before it was popular to do so.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Shirley Voelker of Jackson; five children, Tina (Jim) Trickey of Cape Girardeau, Pamala (Perry) Evans of Jackson, Rick (Molly) Voelker of St. Louis, Kenneth Voelker of Jackson and Doug Voelker of Cape Girardeau; six grandchildren, Heather Cato of Walla Walla, Wash., Brandy (Chris) Webb of Sedgewickville, Mo., Lance Evans of Patton, Mo., Jason Trickey of Jackson and Dawn Roberts and Darren Voelker of Cape Girardeau; and five great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Mattison Webb, Cloey Evans and Gracen and Alexis Trickey.

He was preceded in death by his mother; father; grandmother, Ellen Beal; stepfather, Anton Schaaf; and a grandson, Jim Trickey II.

A memorial visitation will be from 11 a.m. until time of service Friday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

A memorial service will be at noon Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Donny Ford officiating. Burial with full military honors will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

Memorial contributions may be given to Southeast Hospice.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.