In his infinite wisdom, God has called home our loved one, Billy Joe Downs. He passed away from this life on Wednesday, May 4, 2005, in Sullivan, Missouri, while doing what he loved, playing softball. He was born to William E. and Lois Campbell Downs on August 19, 1948; his age was 56 years, 8 months, and 15 days.
As a child he was diagnosed with an inoperable heart condition from which he suffered his entire life; however, he didn't let it slow him down. Always an avid sportsman, Bill played baseball, softball and basketball all his life. When he was young, during the summer, he walked three miles to town and back several times a week for ball practice. As a young man he played baseball on the farm team with a local Kansas City pro-ball club. However, it can be said that his greatest love was his horses; he broke and trained them, and he taught others how to ride. He was an accomplished roper, being active in rodeo and horseshows, competing around the state for many years. By profession he was a carpenter and finisher.
Billy Joe was preceded in death by his stepfather, Don Barkley, in 1982; his grandparents, Ava Norris Tucker and Lee Campbell, and Richard and Rosie Bird Downs; aunt Anna Lee Campbell Weaver; uncle Tom Campbell, and a special friend from high school in Hermitage, Jeanne Fisher.
Bill attended school in the Winona School System through 9th grade, and high school in Hermitage, Missouri, where he graduated in 1966. He attended college at Drury in Springfield.
He was first married to Carmenita Pummill in 1968 and a son, Donnie Joe, was born. Later he was married to Debra Weaver and another son, Brian, was born. He married Connie Strubberg in 1983 and they had a son, Randy Dale.
He is survived by his sons, Donnie Downs, Kansas City, KS., Brian Downs, Chesterfield, MO, and Randy Downs, Washington, MO.; his mother, Lois Campbell Barkley, Winona, MO.; his father and step-mother, William E. and Ellenor Downs, Warsaw, MO.; his fiancée', Myra Ragan, Steelville, MO.; sisters Karen Hessel, Kearney, MO., Janice Warner, Archie, MO., Sandra Hohmann, Kansas City, MO., and Donita Barkley, Shawnee, KS.; brothers, Jerry and Gary Downs, Warsaw, MO., Johnny and Gary Barkley, Winona, MO., and Terry Barkley, Rolla, MO.; his grandsons, Tyler and Colton Downs, Carter Co., MO.; step-daughter Amy Nichols and family, Eminence, MO.; step-daughter, Angel Stahlman and family, Franklin Co., MO; daughter-in-law Deena Downs, Kansas City, KS., 8 step-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Kathy Downs, Marsha Downs, Vicki Barkley, Mary Lou Barkley and Shirley Barkley; brothers-in-law Ed Hessel, Ron Warner and Max Hohmann; former wives Carmenita Gerry, Eminence, MO, Debra Myers, Chesterfield, MO, and Connie Downs, Villa Ridge, MO; 20 nieces, and nephews; aunts June Roberts, Sharon Davis and Judy Walker, Winona, MO., Wanda Lee Dickerson of Columbia., MO., Adeline Hicks, Sedalia, MO., uncles Wayne Tucker, Ozark, MO., Doris Tucker and Bob Weaver, Winona, MO; and many cousins; special friends George and Georgia Jordan, Villa Ridge, MO., and a host of friends and special acquaintances.
Billy Joe will be remembered as a quiet, unassuming man with a wry sense of humor. He was a diligent worker, slow to anger, methodical in everything he did. He was well liked by everyone he met and loved dearly by those close to him. He will be sadly missed by his family, his rodeo friends, his softball teammates, and especially his coffee-drinking buddies at Tri-County Restaurant in Villa Ridge, Missouri. Our loss is great, our tears are many, and the ache in our hearts will not soon go away.
We take comfort in the knowledge that he is at peace, with no more suffering and pain to bear. He will live long in our hearts, as we will cherish the memories of him and what a fine, gentle person he was. Go with God, B. J. We will see you in Heaven.
Step-father: #16225351
Contributor: Anquestor
As a child he was diagnosed with an inoperable heart condition from which he suffered his entire life; however, he didn't let it slow him down. Always an avid sportsman, Bill played baseball, softball and basketball all his life. When he was young, during the summer, he walked three miles to town and back several times a week for ball practice. As a young man he played baseball on the farm team with a local Kansas City pro-ball club. However, it can be said that his greatest love was his horses; he broke and trained them, and he taught others how to ride. He was an accomplished roper, being active in rodeo and horseshows, competing around the state for many years. By profession he was a carpenter and finisher.
Billy Joe was preceded in death by his stepfather, Don Barkley, in 1982; his grandparents, Ava Norris Tucker and Lee Campbell, and Richard and Rosie Bird Downs; aunt Anna Lee Campbell Weaver; uncle Tom Campbell, and a special friend from high school in Hermitage, Jeanne Fisher.
Bill attended school in the Winona School System through 9th grade, and high school in Hermitage, Missouri, where he graduated in 1966. He attended college at Drury in Springfield.
He was first married to Carmenita Pummill in 1968 and a son, Donnie Joe, was born. Later he was married to Debra Weaver and another son, Brian, was born. He married Connie Strubberg in 1983 and they had a son, Randy Dale.
He is survived by his sons, Donnie Downs, Kansas City, KS., Brian Downs, Chesterfield, MO, and Randy Downs, Washington, MO.; his mother, Lois Campbell Barkley, Winona, MO.; his father and step-mother, William E. and Ellenor Downs, Warsaw, MO.; his fiancée', Myra Ragan, Steelville, MO.; sisters Karen Hessel, Kearney, MO., Janice Warner, Archie, MO., Sandra Hohmann, Kansas City, MO., and Donita Barkley, Shawnee, KS.; brothers, Jerry and Gary Downs, Warsaw, MO., Johnny and Gary Barkley, Winona, MO., and Terry Barkley, Rolla, MO.; his grandsons, Tyler and Colton Downs, Carter Co., MO.; step-daughter Amy Nichols and family, Eminence, MO.; step-daughter, Angel Stahlman and family, Franklin Co., MO; daughter-in-law Deena Downs, Kansas City, KS., 8 step-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Kathy Downs, Marsha Downs, Vicki Barkley, Mary Lou Barkley and Shirley Barkley; brothers-in-law Ed Hessel, Ron Warner and Max Hohmann; former wives Carmenita Gerry, Eminence, MO, Debra Myers, Chesterfield, MO, and Connie Downs, Villa Ridge, MO; 20 nieces, and nephews; aunts June Roberts, Sharon Davis and Judy Walker, Winona, MO., Wanda Lee Dickerson of Columbia., MO., Adeline Hicks, Sedalia, MO., uncles Wayne Tucker, Ozark, MO., Doris Tucker and Bob Weaver, Winona, MO; and many cousins; special friends George and Georgia Jordan, Villa Ridge, MO., and a host of friends and special acquaintances.
Billy Joe will be remembered as a quiet, unassuming man with a wry sense of humor. He was a diligent worker, slow to anger, methodical in everything he did. He was well liked by everyone he met and loved dearly by those close to him. He will be sadly missed by his family, his rodeo friends, his softball teammates, and especially his coffee-drinking buddies at Tri-County Restaurant in Villa Ridge, Missouri. Our loss is great, our tears are many, and the ache in our hearts will not soon go away.
We take comfort in the knowledge that he is at peace, with no more suffering and pain to bear. He will live long in our hearts, as we will cherish the memories of him and what a fine, gentle person he was. Go with God, B. J. We will see you in Heaven.
Step-father: #16225351
Contributor: Anquestor
In his infinite wisdom, God has called home our loved one, Billy Joe Downs. He passed away from this life on Wednesday, May 4, 2005, in Sullivan, Missouri, while doing what he loved, playing softball. He was born to William E. and Lois Campbell Downs on August 19, 1948; his age was 56 years, 8 months, and 15 days.
As a child he was diagnosed with an inoperable heart condition from which he suffered his entire life; however, he didn't let it slow him down. Always an avid sportsman, Bill played baseball, softball and basketball all his life. When he was young, during the summer, he walked three miles to town and back several times a week for ball practice. As a young man he played baseball on the farm team with a local Kansas City pro-ball club. However, it can be said that his greatest love was his horses; he broke and trained them, and he taught others how to ride. He was an accomplished roper, being active in rodeo and horseshows, competing around the state for many years. By profession he was a carpenter and finisher.
Billy Joe was preceded in death by his stepfather, Don Barkley, in 1982; his grandparents, Ava Norris Tucker and Lee Campbell, and Richard and Rosie Bird Downs; aunt Anna Lee Campbell Weaver; uncle Tom Campbell, and a special friend from high school in Hermitage, Jeanne Fisher.
Bill attended school in the Winona School System through 9th grade, and high school in Hermitage, Missouri, where he graduated in 1966. He attended college at Drury in Springfield.
He was first married to Carmenita Pummill in 1968 and a son, Donnie Joe, was born. Later he was married to Debra Weaver and another son, Brian, was born. He married Connie Strubberg in 1983 and they had a son, Randy Dale.
He is survived by his sons, Donnie Downs, Kansas City, KS., Brian Downs, Chesterfield, MO, and Randy Downs, Washington, MO.; his mother, Lois Campbell Barkley, Winona, MO.; his father and step-mother, William E. and Ellenor Downs, Warsaw, MO.; his fiancée', Myra Ragan, Steelville, MO.; sisters Karen Hessel, Kearney, MO., Janice Warner, Archie, MO., Sandra Hohmann, Kansas City, MO., and Donita Barkley, Shawnee, KS.; brothers, Jerry and Gary Downs, Warsaw, MO., Johnny and Gary Barkley, Winona, MO., and Terry Barkley, Rolla, MO.; his grandsons, Tyler and Colton Downs, Carter Co., MO.; step-daughter Amy Nichols and family, Eminence, MO.; step-daughter, Angel Stahlman and family, Franklin Co., MO; daughter-in-law Deena Downs, Kansas City, KS., 8 step-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Kathy Downs, Marsha Downs, Vicki Barkley, Mary Lou Barkley and Shirley Barkley; brothers-in-law Ed Hessel, Ron Warner and Max Hohmann; former wives Carmenita Gerry, Eminence, MO, Debra Myers, Chesterfield, MO, and Connie Downs, Villa Ridge, MO; 20 nieces, and nephews; aunts June Roberts, Sharon Davis and Judy Walker, Winona, MO., Wanda Lee Dickerson of Columbia., MO., Adeline Hicks, Sedalia, MO., uncles Wayne Tucker, Ozark, MO., Doris Tucker and Bob Weaver, Winona, MO; and many cousins; special friends George and Georgia Jordan, Villa Ridge, MO., and a host of friends and special acquaintances.
Billy Joe will be remembered as a quiet, unassuming man with a wry sense of humor. He was a diligent worker, slow to anger, methodical in everything he did. He was well liked by everyone he met and loved dearly by those close to him. He will be sadly missed by his family, his rodeo friends, his softball teammates, and especially his coffee-drinking buddies at Tri-County Restaurant in Villa Ridge, Missouri. Our loss is great, our tears are many, and the ache in our hearts will not soon go away.
We take comfort in the knowledge that he is at peace, with no more suffering and pain to bear. He will live long in our hearts, as we will cherish the memories of him and what a fine, gentle person he was. Go with God, B. J. We will see you in Heaven.
Step-father: #16225351
Contributor: Anquestor
As a child he was diagnosed with an inoperable heart condition from which he suffered his entire life; however, he didn't let it slow him down. Always an avid sportsman, Bill played baseball, softball and basketball all his life. When he was young, during the summer, he walked three miles to town and back several times a week for ball practice. As a young man he played baseball on the farm team with a local Kansas City pro-ball club. However, it can be said that his greatest love was his horses; he broke and trained them, and he taught others how to ride. He was an accomplished roper, being active in rodeo and horseshows, competing around the state for many years. By profession he was a carpenter and finisher.
Billy Joe was preceded in death by his stepfather, Don Barkley, in 1982; his grandparents, Ava Norris Tucker and Lee Campbell, and Richard and Rosie Bird Downs; aunt Anna Lee Campbell Weaver; uncle Tom Campbell, and a special friend from high school in Hermitage, Jeanne Fisher.
Bill attended school in the Winona School System through 9th grade, and high school in Hermitage, Missouri, where he graduated in 1966. He attended college at Drury in Springfield.
He was first married to Carmenita Pummill in 1968 and a son, Donnie Joe, was born. Later he was married to Debra Weaver and another son, Brian, was born. He married Connie Strubberg in 1983 and they had a son, Randy Dale.
He is survived by his sons, Donnie Downs, Kansas City, KS., Brian Downs, Chesterfield, MO, and Randy Downs, Washington, MO.; his mother, Lois Campbell Barkley, Winona, MO.; his father and step-mother, William E. and Ellenor Downs, Warsaw, MO.; his fiancée', Myra Ragan, Steelville, MO.; sisters Karen Hessel, Kearney, MO., Janice Warner, Archie, MO., Sandra Hohmann, Kansas City, MO., and Donita Barkley, Shawnee, KS.; brothers, Jerry and Gary Downs, Warsaw, MO., Johnny and Gary Barkley, Winona, MO., and Terry Barkley, Rolla, MO.; his grandsons, Tyler and Colton Downs, Carter Co., MO.; step-daughter Amy Nichols and family, Eminence, MO.; step-daughter, Angel Stahlman and family, Franklin Co., MO; daughter-in-law Deena Downs, Kansas City, KS., 8 step-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Kathy Downs, Marsha Downs, Vicki Barkley, Mary Lou Barkley and Shirley Barkley; brothers-in-law Ed Hessel, Ron Warner and Max Hohmann; former wives Carmenita Gerry, Eminence, MO, Debra Myers, Chesterfield, MO, and Connie Downs, Villa Ridge, MO; 20 nieces, and nephews; aunts June Roberts, Sharon Davis and Judy Walker, Winona, MO., Wanda Lee Dickerson of Columbia., MO., Adeline Hicks, Sedalia, MO., uncles Wayne Tucker, Ozark, MO., Doris Tucker and Bob Weaver, Winona, MO; and many cousins; special friends George and Georgia Jordan, Villa Ridge, MO., and a host of friends and special acquaintances.
Billy Joe will be remembered as a quiet, unassuming man with a wry sense of humor. He was a diligent worker, slow to anger, methodical in everything he did. He was well liked by everyone he met and loved dearly by those close to him. He will be sadly missed by his family, his rodeo friends, his softball teammates, and especially his coffee-drinking buddies at Tri-County Restaurant in Villa Ridge, Missouri. Our loss is great, our tears are many, and the ache in our hearts will not soon go away.
We take comfort in the knowledge that he is at peace, with no more suffering and pain to bear. He will live long in our hearts, as we will cherish the memories of him and what a fine, gentle person he was. Go with God, B. J. We will see you in Heaven.
Step-father: #16225351
Contributor: Anquestor
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