William Ray Voelker

William Ray Voelker, 85, of Cape Girardeau, MO died Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at Jackson Manor in Jackson, MO. He was born April 11, 1927 in Cape Girardeau, MO and was the son of William F. Voelker, Francis Beal Schaaf and step-father, Anton Schaaf. He joined the Army at age 23 in 1950, weighing 90 lbs. and standing only 4' 10''. He hurt his back in boot camp at Ft. Leonard Wood and spent the next two years as the 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, Missouri for 30 years where he had his woodworking shop. Whenever 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 in the West End Tavern and Grocery in Frohna, Missouri. Even after he could no longer use his tools, he would continue to teach anyone who was interested in woodworking or just ride his motorized wheel chair around town visiting neighbors. He tamed wild rabbits, hunted Jinsing, 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; each Christmas Eve he would collect toys and food for families who 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, MO; five children, Tina (Jim) Trickey of Cape Girardeau, MO, Pamala (Perry) Evans of Jackson, MO, Rick (Molly) Voelker of St. Louis, MO, Kenneth Voelker of Jackson, MO and Doug Voelker of Cape Girardeau, MO; six grandchildren, Heather Cato of Walla Walla, WA, Brandy (Chris) Webb of Sedgewickville, MO, Lance Evans of Patton, MO, Jason Trickey of Jackson, MO, Dawn Roberts and Darren Voelker of Cape Girardeau, MO; five great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Mattison Webb, Cloey Evans, Gracen and Alexis Trickey. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, grandmother, Ellen Beal, step-father, Anton Schaaf, grandson, Jim Trickey, II. A memorial visitation will be Friday, April 5, 2013 from 11:00 a.m. until noon at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Funeral Home. A memorial service will follow at noon with Rev. Donny Ford officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow Friday at 2:00 p.m. at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, MO. Memorial contributions may be given to Southeast Hospice.

Tributes

William Ray Voelker

April 2, 2013