Obituary for William Norton Woolfolk (1912-1989)
Troy Free Press, Troy, Lincoln County, MO.
From the clippings of John E. Meyer.

William Norton WOOLFOLK was born April 24, 1912 in Troy, Missouri, the youngest son of Dr. Ernest and Maude NORTON WOOLFOLK.

He spent most of his life in Lincoln County. As he grew up, he developed a life-long love for the out-of-doors life. He gained great skill as a hunter and as a fisherman. Not only did he become proficient in these occupations, he derived great pleasure from passing on the lessons he had learned in the woods and streams to youngsters just starting out.

On March 26, 1955, he married the former Ruth DAUGHERTY. Together, they raised their two children, Barbara and Larry.

A highly intelligent man, Bill quickly mastered many crafts. He had worked at McDonnell Aircraft, had been a cutter in a ladies’ garment factory, and worked in the printing department at the Troy Free Press. In later years, he became a police officer for the City of Troy and a deputy Sheriff of Lincoln County. He had served a number of years as bailiff for the Lincoln County Circuit Court.

Upon retirement, Bill and Ruth moved to Biloxi, Mississippi where they quickly became known to a wide circle of new friends. Their new home was just across Fred Haise Boulevard from the Gulf of Mexico, and Bill spent many happy days fishing that body of water.

A few months ago Bill’s health began to fail, and they moved to Nashville, Tennessee to be closer to their children. As his health continued to decline, his stays in the Nashville Veteran’s Hospital became more frequent, and he passed away in that facility in the evening of July 2, 1989 at the age of 77 years, 2 months and 8 days.

Bill’s life touched many people in many walks of life. An open, gregarious man, he quickly made friends with everyone he met. A person’s station in life meant nothing to Bill. No one was beneath his notice and friendship and no one was a bit better than he was.

Possessed with a keen wit and an excellent sense of humor, he was widely renowned as a humorist and teller of tales- not all of which were totally believable.

He had served with valor and distinction in the European/African/Middle East Theatre as a cryptographic technician. He earned the Expert Rifleman’s Medal, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and the European/African/Middle Eastern Service Medal with four battle stars.

He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8828, Troy, and had been an early member of the Troy Kiwanis Club. For over 40 years, he had been a member in full standing and Dean Ex Officio of the "Liar’s Club", a loosely-knit organization of sportsmen and friends who have met in a succession of restraurants over the years.

He is survived by his devoted and beloved wife Ruth of the home; one daughter, Barbara PHILLIPS of Nashville, Tn.; one son, Larry DAUGHERTY and his wife, Pat, also of Nashville; one brother, John and his wife, Alice, of Troy; one sister-in-law, Mrs. Bobbe WOOLFOLK, also of Troy; two granddaughters, two grandsons, one great-granddaughter, a number of cousins, nieces, nephews, and an inordinately large number of friends.

Bill will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.

Services were Thursday, July 6, 1989 at the Kemper-Marsh Funeral Home in Troy. Rev. Ted Matkin officiated with Mrs. Arthur Schemmer as organist. Burial was in the Troy City Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Monte COTTLE, Ed COTTLE, Earnest WOOLFOLK, Roger HAMMETT, and David COLLINS.

File submitted to HERITAGE PAGES of LINCOLN COUNTY, MISSOURI by Nancy Weller, 5 September, 2003.

NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogical information on the Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written consent of the file submitter, or their legal representative, and contact the listed county coordinator with proof of this consent.

Return to Lincoln County, Missouri
Obituary Index  |  Heritage Page  |  Home Page