Billy Joe Cooksey

Billy Joe Cooksey, 65, of Poplar Bluff died Monday, Dec. 27, 2010 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Cooksey was born Oct. 19, 1945 in Holcomb, Mo. After 20 years of service, which included a tour in Vietnam, he retired from the U.S. Army. Mr. Cooksey enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

On Oct. 4, 1969, he married Rita Ann Douglas in Sikeston, Mo. She survives.

Other survivors include two sons, William Charles Cooksey and wife, Brandie of McKinney, Tex. and Patrick Lee Cooksey and wife Tosha, of Poplar Bluff; four grandsons, Christopher Allen Cooksey, Evan Michael Lee Cooksey, Nicholas S. Cooksey and Jackson David Cooksey; and two brothers, Archie Lee Cooksey and wife, Mickie of Florida and James Robert Ramsey and wife, Nina of Arkansas.

His parents, William Jennings and Elize Hester (Patterson) Cooksey and sister, Mildred Ramsey preceded him in death.

Visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will follow at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Chapel with Rev. Gregory Kirk officiating. Burial with full military honors will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Mo.

Memorials may be made to United Gospel Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 924, Poplar Bluff, MO 63902 or to Wings Cancer Foundation, 100 North Humphreys Blvd., Memphis, TN 38120.

Family and friends may share an online condolence or memory at www.cotrellfuneralservice.com.