William “Bill” Wooldridge, age 83, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 27, 2023, at Fitzgibbon Hospital, in Marshall, MO, surrounded by his loving family.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Concordia, MO. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at Mt. Zion Christian Church in Dunksburg, MO, with Rev. Chris Medina and the elders of the church officiating. Burial will be at a later date. Bill was an avid sports fan. Please feel free to wear your sports apparel to these services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Mt. Zion Christian Church or Sweet Springs Food Panty. Friends may sign the online register book at www.campbell-lewis.com
Bill was born November 3, 1939, in Beech Grove, Arkansas. He was the son of Thomas Franklin Wooldridge and Nettie Rosanna Watson Wooldridge. On March 21, 1959, in Poplar Bluff, MO, he married the love of his life, Emily Edna Bess, who survives in the home. Bill, Emily, their 3 children and Grandma Nettie moved to Sweet Springs in 1965. They built their lives hunting rabbits and raccoons, fishing, and showing coonhounds. They traveled all over the state of Missouri winning countless trophies. As an avid sports fan, Bill loved playing (and coaching) fast and slow pitch softball. He has many fond memories of all the men he played ball with and spoke proudly of all the championships the teams had won. Bill was also a hardworking man, working on the Dohrman farms, Rival Manufacturing as a forklift driver, and other manufacturing jobs. Before retiring, he worked as the manager of a local service station, One Stop. Later in life he gave his life to Christ and was also a member of Mt. Zion Christian Church.
In addition to his wife, Emily, he is survived by their three children: Molly Borgstadt (Tony) of Sweet Springs, MO, Rocky Wooldridge (Norma) of Basehor, KS, and Francis Gail Davis (Jack) of Marshall, MO; seven grandchildren: Angela Johan Clark (Martin) of Spring Valley, CA, Brian Oerding of Charlotte, NC, Amber Rivera (Jessie Hernandez) of Brooklyn, NY, William “Billy” Wooldridge (Bridgette) of Sweet Springs, MO, Amanda Litton (Aaron) of Marshall, MO, Brenda Wasson (Jason) of Marshall, MO, and Jenny Kirby of Marshall, MO; 18 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; one brother Franklin (Dee) Wooldridge (Karen) of Slater, MO; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended family.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Nettie; three sisters: Clara Taylor, Tilly Nagles and Joyce Endicott; and one brother, Winston Churchill Wooldridge.