William R. Yoakum Sr.

December 19, 1935 – January 16, 2021

 

William (Bill) R. Yoakum Sr., age 85 of Monroe, went home to be with the Lord on January 16th, 2021, with loved ones by his side.

 

Bill was born on December 19, 1935, in Lone Mountain, Tennessee to Horace and Ester (Leedy) Yoakum. He graduated from Clairborne County High School in 1955. After high school he began working with his uncle building houses in Tennessee. He loved installing drywall and was a perfectionist in his work.

 

In 1961, Bill moved to Monroe and started work at Monroe Welding & Engineering, which would later be called Monroe Environmental. While working there, he and his friend and co-worker, Earl Pope, constructed football bleachers throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan, including bleachers at Airport High School and Navarre Field.

 

On December 4, 1965, Bill married the love of his life, Wilma J. Dickson (Nanie), at Monroe Missionary Baptist Church. Together, they enjoyed raising 5 children. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and especially his great grandchildren who loved sitting on their papa’s lap. Bill also spent many days and nights watching his children and grandchildren play sports. He was kindhearted and always willing to lend a helping hand. He especially enjoyed helping his many great neighbors throughout the years.

 

Bill continued to work for 39 ½ years for Monroe Environmental, retiring in 2001. A long-time member of Monroe Missionary Baptist Church, Bill was a Sunday school teacher for 40 years. In his spare time, he enjoyed taking walks, working in the garden, reading his Bible and completing word search puzzles. He loved to watch tv and it usually consisted of sporting events or his favorite show, Gunsmoke.

 

Sadly, he was proceeded in death by his parents, a brother Scott Yoakum, a sister Dorothy Cutshaw, and daughter-in-law Judy (Sievert) Cole.

 

Bill is survived by his wife of 55 years, Wilma J. Yoakum; five children, Lynnette Hunt and Audie (Betsy) Cole of Monroe, MI, William (Helen) Yoakum, Jr of Taylor, MI, Danny Cole of Columbia, TN, and John (Carol) Cole of Mission Viejo, CA; 13 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren, with another great grandchild on the way.

 

The family would like to thank Dr. Kabir & Dr. Kristi Simmons, Fountainview of Monroe, and Promedica Hospice for all the time they spent with him and the amazing care they gave.

 

Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Friday, January 22, 2021 from 11:00-2:00 PM with a funeral service starting at 2:00 PM. The funeral service will be livestreamed through the link provided at https://www.facebook.com/ruppfuneralhome for those unable to attend. Officiating is Pastor Tim Iocoangeli. Entombment will follow to St. Joseph Cemetery. Due to COVID-19, the committal prayers will take place for family only in the mausoleum.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider a memorial to Monroe Missionary Baptist Church or American Cancer Society.

 

Online condolences or words of comfort may be sent to www.ruppfuneralhomeinc.com