Robbie Neece

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

That was the motto of Robbie Wayne Neece, both in his personal and business life. Mr. Neece passed from this life into eternal rest on February 3, 2019, after an extensive battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Wayne was born on August 1, 1934, the son of B.A. and Coreene (Deatherage) Neece, in Newton County, Missouri.

He attended a one-room school, Willow Springs, near Racine, Missouri. He graduated from Neosho High School with the class of 1952, where he was very active in FFA.

On August 12, 1956, he was united in marriage to Mae Smith. They have enjoyed 62 and a half years together, and have welcomed a son, Rodney Neece, into their family in 1968.

Wayne served in the US Army from 1957 to 1959. He was stationed in Germany, where he was chosen to participate as a marksman in the Le Clerc Rifle Games. After the games were completed, he was asked to become a personal photographer for an officer.

In April of 1959, he returned home to his former job, working as a surveyor for William M. Stewart Engineering Company and became among the first group of licensed land surveyors in the state of Missouri. He was recently honored by the state for his many years of service.

He had much pleasure knowing that he had worked for many developers in the growth of Joplin and the surrounding area. He specialized in boundary surveys and volume surveys for LP gas storage caverns across the U.S.

In 1974, he became the owner of William M. Stewart Engineering and renamed it Stewart and Neece Land Surveying, which is now under the ownership of his son Rodney Neece and his wife Lori Neece.

Wayne had many hobbies. He owned a modified stock car and raced it under the lucky number 7. He restored antique autos, which he loved to have in parades. He was active in the Fairview Missouri Antique Auto club. He was an avid fan of Missouri Southern athletics since 1972, when he joined the booster club “the Lionbackers”. He truly loved the green and gold. He also coached senior league baseball.

He is survived by his wife Mae Neece of the home, his son Rodney Neece and his wife Lori Neece, and two granddaughters, Shelbie and Ragan Neece, all of Joplin. He was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws--Lawrence and Opal Smith, maternal grandparents--Joe and Pearl Deatherage, paternal grandparents--C.C and Eva Neece, of whom he had so many fond memories he shared.

He was of the Baptist faith and attended Oak Grove Baptist Church. Funeral services under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary interment at Burkhardt Cemetery with the reverend John Wilkens officiating at 10am, Saturday, February 9th, 2019. The visitation will be on Friday, February 8th, 2019, from 6pm-7pm. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested for the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home in care of the mortuary.