Debra Boyd

April 22, 1951 – Jan. 1, 2023

Debra Ann Boyd, 71, of Ozark, formerly of Webb City, departed this life on Sunday morning, Jan. 1, at The Oaks Cottage in Ozark, after months of declining health.

Debra entered this life on April 22, 1951, in Webb City, born to the union of the late William and Dorothy (Day) Boyd. She was raised in Webb City and was a 1969 graduate of Webb City High School. She worked at Target in Joplin for several years before retiring to care for her grandchildren. She was a mother to many, always offering food and a safe place to anyone in need. Debra was a member of the Webb City Church of the Nazarene.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Alice Sue Jackson.

Debra is survived by her two daughters, Andrea Franklin and husband Tom, of Ozark, and Erin Holbert and husband Jaushua, of Joplin; three grandchildren, Allie, Joshua and Kaden; a brother, Robert Boyd, Webb City; a brother-in-law, Charles Jackson, Webb City; and a host of other family and friends.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 6, in the chapel of Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home, with Pastor Chad Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery in Joplin. Pallbearers will be Robert Boyd, Tom Franklin, Matt Cheatwood, David Bailey, Ernie Bell and Charles Jackson. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Bob Goddard

Jan. 18, 1947 – Dec. 28, 2022

Robert E. Goddard, of Loma Linda, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 28. He was born Jan. 18, 1947, at Jane Chinn Hospital in Webb City, the third son of Eldon E. “Dick” and Margaret Goddard. He was raised in Webb City, attended First Baptist Church, West Side Elementary and Webb City High School (class of 1965) where he was active in football, golf, “W” Club and was a member of the Cardinal Notes Staff (the school newspaper). After one year at Southwest Missouri State University, he joined the U.S. Air Force, taking basic training at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas. He was stationed at the Columbus Air Base, a strategic air command base, Columbus, Miss., for most of his service. After discharge in 1970, he returned to Webb City and was employed by Tri-State Motor Transit where he worked as operations manager from 1970-1989.

In 1993 Bob formed Midwest Leasing Company which provides transportation of commercial explosives for the mining industry throughout the continental United States. Midwest Diesel Service Inc. followed in 1997, providing total maintenance and repair for class 8 trucks and trailers. In 2000, he added G & M Target Leasing Inc., a general commodity, irregular route trucking company, which provided common and contract authority service throughout the lower 48 states.

He retired in 2009, and became the “unofficial” mayor of Loma Linda and the “official” greens keeper of the 19th hole.

He was a devoted fan of Webb City football, never missing a game, either in person or on the radio. Being a supporter of Webb City school activities, he happily volunteered to drive one of his own Peterbilt trucks to haul the 40-foot trailer load of band equipment and luggage belonging to the Webb City High School Marching Cardinal Pride Band for their trip to the Rose Bowl Parade in January 2006, in Pasadena, Calif. (He purposefully chose a red truck to match the large red rose painted on the trailer so the unit would look good.)

He was a proud member of the Webb City Masonic Lodge 512 for 48 years and was raised to the Degree of Master Mason in June 1974.

He is survived by his best friend, Janina; siblings Richard (Janice) Goddard, Webb City, and Cecil Goddard, Webb City; brother-in-law, Jim Freeman, Webb City; children Jeff (Michelle) Goddard, Webb City, Gretchen Goddard, Webb City, Joe Goddard, Fayetteville, Ark., and Amy Goddard, Coppell, Texas, Violette (Ben) Rychlicki, New York City, N.Y.; grandchildren Joshua, Abbie, and Eli Goddard, Cole and Levi Stokes, Gavin and Jada Goddard; and great-grandchild, Graham Goddard. He was preceded in death by his father, Eldon E. “Dick” Goddard; his mother, Margaret Goddard; sister Patty Freeman; and sister-in-law, Pam Goddard.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Joplin Humane Society. Arrangements are under the direction of Simpson Funeral Home.

Ralph Hester

Aug. 5, 1934 – Dec. 30, 2022

Ralph Leon Hester, age 88, passed away Friday, Dec. 30, surrounded by family. Mr. Hester was born on Aug. 5, 1934, in Nevada, Mo., and graduated from Joplin High School in 1952.

Ralph married Doris Ann Wardlow on April 22, 1955, in Joplin. They were happily married for 51 years.

Ralph worked at Campbell “66”, VOSS and time truck line, the former 1st National Bank and retired from Mercantile Bank in 1992. Ralph was an Army veteran, serving from March 1957 to March 1959. He was a member of New Providence Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher.

Ralph is survived by his son Henry “Hank”Hester, of Oklahoma; his daughter Cindy Casteel and spouse Travis, of Jasper; six grandchildren, Jennifer, Tyler, Angela, Karie, Jamie, and Victoria; six great-grandchildren, Baylie, Jade, Kyla, Sarah, Nathan and Jaycie; and three great-great-grandchildren, Brynlee, Watson and Samuel.

Ralph was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Ann Hester; and his parents, Ione Wade and John Hester.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, at New Providence Baptist Church in Oronogo, with Pastor Larry Shumaker officiating. Burial will take place at Weaver Cemetary in Oronogo.

Arrangements are under the direction of Simpson Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospitals and Shriners Hospital for Children.

Wanda Page

Jan. 30, 1934 – Dec. 28, 2022

Wanda Lee Page, age 88, of Carl Junction, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 28, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin. She was born in Oklahoma to Gene Fowler and Dolly (Williams) Fowler on Jan. 30, 1934. She was a very faithful Christian, loved birds and crossword books.

Wanda is survived by her son, Danny Page and wife Christy, of Carl Junction; granddaughters, Amber Bergen and husband Matthew, Carl Junction, and Chalice Page, Carl Junction; two great-granddaughters, Sierra Page, Carl Junction, and Kendall Hawkins, Carl Junction.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Birty Page; and a daughter, Debrah Page. The family held a graveside committal on Sunday, Jan. 1, in Carl Junction Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Simpson Funeral Home.

Ike Woodrow

Aug. 22, 1947 – Jan. 2, 2023

Mr. Ike Woodrow, 75, a longtime resident of Webb City, departed this life suddenly on Monday evening, Jan. 2, at Mercy Hospital Joplin.

Ike entered this life on Aug. 22, 1947, in Carthage, born to the union of the late Kermit and Franz’e (Marshall) Woodrow. The family moved from LaRussell to Webb City when Ike was 8 years old. His formative years were spent in Webb City, graduating from Webb City High School in 1966.

On Nov. 2, 1974, he was united in marriage to Linda Miller and together they have shared the last 48 years. For many years, he owned and operated Burney-Wiles Cattle Commission Company. Ike retired in 2011 from Peterbilt in Joplin as a parts runner. After retirement, Ike and Linda enjoyed traveling to the Smokey Mountains and beyond. He loved motorcycles, old cars, had every single issue of Easyriders Magazine and always looked forward to playing Santa Claus at the LaRussell Christmas Parade. Ike dearly loved his church family and was an active member of First Christian Church in Webb City.

His parents and a daughter, Kassy Woodrow, preceded him in death.

Ike is survived by his wife, Linda Woodrow, of the home; two sons, Scott Hinds, Webb City, and Jeff Hinds and wife Carisa, Overland Park, Kan.; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a sister, Kathy Hallacy and husband Scott, Webb City; a brother, Omer Sex and wife Kathie, Grass Valley, Calif.; and host of other family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, at First Christian Church, with Pastor Lynn Ragsdale officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Scott Hallacy, Damien Hallacy, Matt Joyce, Dave Collard, Keith Cornman and Bobby Staggs. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church in care of the funeral home.