Rev. William Joyce

The Rev. William "Bill" Joyce, 87, of Cape Girardeau was born to Coy Edward and Gertie Huel Hendon Joyce in Golden Pond, Kentucky, Oct. 12, 1933. He died Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle, and a wonderful friend to many. Due to COVID-19, he died alone in his hospital room rather than surrounded by those who loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Russell H. Joyce, Wayne E. Joyce and Dalmos E. Joyce: two half brothers, Ronnie Turner and David G. Turner; and son, Jessie A. Pender.

He is survived by his wife, (Margaret) Ruth Joyce of Cape Girardeau; sons, Larry D. (Jessica) Joyce, Thomas E. (Christy) Joyce and Phillip L. Joyce of Marshfield, Missouri, and Michael R. (Teresa) Joyce of Strafford, Missouri; daughters, Linda D. (Timothy) Lott of Marshfield; Kathy (Leslie) Moll of St. Mary, Missouri; and Charlotte A. McClard of Cape Girardeau; daughter-in-law, Jackie Fitch Pender of Altenburg, Missouri; sister, Gloria D. (Bob) Walker of Lexington Kentucky; and brothers, Perry H. (Linda) Joyce of Taylorsville, Kentucky, and Don L. (Rochelle) Joyce of Paducah, Kentucky; half brother, Lon D. Turner of Indian Mound, Tennessee; and former wife, Ruby A. Joyce of Marshfield. He is also survived by grandchildren, Jeremy Joyce, Paul Joyce, Billy Joyce, Kelsey Lott, Jon Joyce, Misty Joyce, Heather Thomas, Whitney Joyce, Troy Joyce, Travis Joyce, Garrett Ross, Jeremiah Moll, Rheanna Wolk, Carrie (Palmer) McClard and Cody McClard; and great-grandchildren, Keaton Joyce, Brilyn Joyce, Taylor Joyce, Myla Cruz, Hunter Thomas, Riley Clark, Luke Ross, Eli Ross, Ava Moll, Gavin Moll, Ezra Wolk, Elijah Wolk, Sage Wolk, Shaelyn Wolk, Sadie Wolk, Anna Wilke, Atticus Harper and Cora McClard.

Bill was a proud veteran who retired from the U.S. Army with 20 years of service including active combat in the Korean War. He served in the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and was a Hawk missile specialist stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas. He served several tours of duty overseas in France, Korea and Germany.

He was ordained in the Hillcrest Baptist Church in El Paso, Texas, by his father in the ministry, Brother Bob Stewart, and was a Baptist minister for over 45 years. He attended Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, obtaining a theology degree. He was a pastor in numerous churches in Missouri and Illinois, including Pine Grove/White Oak Baptist Church in Marshfield; Hillcrest Baptist Mission in Sikeston, Missouri; New Testament Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau; Mill Creek Baptist Church in Mill Creek, Illinois; McClure Baptist Church in McClure, Illinois; Mission for Christ in Perryville, Missouri, and was the pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau at the time of his death. He was a servant of the Lord and through his ministry many people were saved and baptized, giving God all the glory. He made numerous lifelong friends throughout his years in the ministry.

His death will leave a hole in the hearts of those who loved him that nothing or no one can ever fill.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday at Southside Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Friday at the church with the Revs. Phil Berry and Don Estes officiating. Full military honors will be at the church.

Burial will be held at a later date at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.