Bobby Lee Wood, 83, passed away at the Putnam County Memorial Hospital in Unionville, Missouri, on Tuesday, August 30, 2022. He had been a patient there for a short time.
Bobby was born on March 12, 1939, in Kirksville, to Herbert (Skinny) Alva Wood and Mary Wilma Wood, who preceded him in death. He married Julia (Judy) Rebecca Thompson on March 21, 1964; she survives. His son, Thomas Lee Wood, preceded him in death.
Also surviving is his daughter Rebecca (Becky) Williams, her husband Martin (Marty), and their three sons Garret Lee, Gaven Martin, and Gage Thomas Williams; sisters Joyce Johnson (late husband Sonny); and Janet Drummond, her husband Gary, and niece Dionne Grabowski and family. Bobby has a brother-in-law Jim Thompson, wife Bette, and nephew Jimmie Thompson and family who survive.
Bobby was a proud American farmer. While he was known for raising and milking dairy cattle for 50 years, he also raised beef cattle, as well as an assortment of other livestock. He grew most of his own livestock feed, including hay and corn, as well as soybeans and wheat. At the age of 60, he achieved his hard-earned goal of owning a section of land. With the exception of a short stint as a school bus driver as a young man, Bobby and Judy derived their entire livelihoods from their farm.
Those who met Bobby and shook his hand likely remembered him. His smile was wide, and sincerity was real. Also, at the age of 23, Bobby lost the three middle fingers of his right hand. What would have been a permanent handicap, didn’t limit him at all.
Bobby never knew a stranger. He was always eager and willing to help those in need, from bailing hay for a neighbor to pulling someone’s car out of a ditch. He also served as an MFA exchange delegate, the Soil and Water Conservation District, and executive boards for Producers Creamery and Dairy Farmers of America. Listening to country music, collecting toy tractors, and driving his antique tractors in local parades were among his favorite hobbies.
Bobby was a member of the Green City Assembly of God Church. He was baptized August 26, 2018.
Funeral services will be at Playle and Collins Funeral Home on Saturday, September 3, at 11 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Unionville Cemetery.
Memorials may be made payable to the Alzheimer’s Foundation and entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.