William (Bill) Louis Gooch, age 83, passed away on July 4, 2014 in Joplin, MO.
Bill was born in Whitley City, KY on April 21, 1931 (also recorded as April 4, 1931) to the late Lura Opal Stephens Gooch and Charles B. Gooch. He married Ida Adams Holladay Gooch on November 28, 1963 in Somerset, KY. Besides his parents, Bill was also preceded in death by two siblings, Sarah Jane Gooch Muse and Charles Joseph Gooch, a niece, Susan Muse Brown Northern, and a grandson, Kirk Elliot Holladay.
Bill served in the U. S. Army, the National Guard, and was a former announcer for Radio Station WTLO. He attended college at Cumberland College, Eastern Kentucky State, Dominican College, Carson-Newman College where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in preparation for the ministry, and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where he obtained his Master’s Degree in Education. A teacher and avid reader, Bill taught at Pulaski County High School and Eubank High School in Kentucky and Pleasant Prairie Elementary and Lance Junior High in Wisconsin. He spent his retirement years in Joplin, Missouri – surviving the May 22, 2011 tornado that destroyed much of the city. He saved the life of his wife when the storm destroyed their house during the disaster.
He is survived by his wife, a stepson, Donald Kelly (and Judy) Holladay of Austin, TX; a stepdaughter, Billie Holladay (and Mark) Skelley of Joplin, MO; five grandchildren, Allison Holladay (and Christopher) Fasel of Little Rock, AR; James Paul Skelley of Mountain View, CA; Dr. Nathan William Skelley of St. Louis, MO; Dr. Logan Mark Skelley of Muncie, IN; and Amber Holladay (and Dwane) Belaire of Lake Charles, LA; and four great-grandchildren, Ayres Mark Fasel of Little Rock, AR; Sophia Holladay of Austin, TX; and Parker and Sadie Belaire of Lake Charles, LA. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Honoring Bill’s wishes, no formal services will be held, but private family remembrances will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary in Joplin, MO. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.parkermortuary.com
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