William Booth Sr.

William Ronnie Booth Sr., known to friends and family as "Bill," died unexpectedly Thursday, May 19, 2022, at St. Louis University Hospital. He was 73 years old.

He was born Dec. 19, 1948, in Alton Illinois, the son of Alvin Booth Jr. and Patricia Scanlon Cooper.

He served in the U.S. military, becoming Army Airborne and a parachute rigger. Bill was in the 173rd Airborne Brigade (The Herd) and saw combat in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Bill received the Bronze Star for alerting his base to an imminent attack.

Bill was married to Kristi Booth. They were together for 18 years and shared the love for the two beautiful daughters they created together, Zoe Alayn, 16, and Darci Minnie Analese, 11.

Bill helped build New Beginnings alcohol and drug treatment centers in Missouri and Arizona. He began this journey as a house manager for boys who were in state custody for felonies of violent behavior. He had such an impact on their lives that a few found him recently to tell him thank you and explain the impact he had on their lives.

When Bill moved to Southeast Missouri, he became a prominent musician and played music all over Southeast Missouri and southern Illinois with the band he helped to form, Woodenships, as well as solo. Bill brought joy to anyone hearing him. He had a beautiful voice and truly enjoyed this phase of his life and career. It was a childhood dream of Bill's to become a professional musician.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Kenneth Dale Booth, and a sister, Heather Jane Lucille Cooper.

Surviving in addition to his wife, Kristi McNeely Booth, and their two children are his adult children, William Ronnie Booth Jr., and his wife, Amy, and their three children, Tabitha Booth and Alexis Dakota Booth; and a brother, Shawn Cooper, and his wife, Sandy.

Bill was a gentle, sweet man with a twisted sense of humor, who liked to make people laugh. He will be missed by many, but his two young daughters will miss him most. They absolutely loved their daddy.

A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. June 11 at Riverfront Bridge Park located by the old bridge at the end of Morgan Oak St in Cape Girardeau. Join Bill's family as they share memories and listen to music provided by additional founding members of Woodenships, as well as musicians Bill admired or with whom he played.

An interment of his ashes will be at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield at a later date.

Those who wish to remember Bill in a special way may make gifts in his memory to Missouri's National Veterans Memorial in Perryville.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Crain Funeral Home.