William (Bill) Earnest Todhunter, 92, passed away on Sunday, March 29, 2020, following a short stay at Joplin Gardens. He had suffered a stroke on March 21 at his home and was hospitalized until his death. Born April 6, 1927, in Picher, OK, he was the son of the late William Hall and Elizabeth (McGehee) Todhunter.
Raised in rural NE Oklahoma, Bill graduated from Miami High School in 1945. Immediately after, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was trained and assigned to the 6th Cavalry. He served in Germany, where he was part of the horse-mounted monitoring of the southern border of Germany.
In 1947 he married his high school sweetheart, Katheryn Sue (Katie) Jones. Building a life together for nearly 70 years, he lovingly cared for her at home throughout her long struggle with Alzheimer’s, until her passing in 2016.
During his life Bill acquired a wide range of skills as he worked as an apprentice in a dairy, and then later as a meat cutter. In 1952, on the second day they were open for business he began work at Vickers Inc. in Joplin. He had a successful career with the company - first as a machinist, then inspector, and finally salvage repairman, until 1987, when they closed. Anyone who knew Bill could tell he loved working with his hands and always preferred to be outdoors. He delighted in gardening, raising goats and cattle, shelling walnuts, and constructing all sorts of outbuildings. Bill was a whiz at home repairs and created several creative “fixes” to common problems around the house.
During his life Bill acquired a wide range of skills as he worked as an apprentice in a dairy, and then later as a meat cutter. In 1952, on the second day they were open for business he began work at Vickers Inc. in Joplin. He had a successful career with the company - first as a machinist, then inspector, and finally salvage repairman, until 1987, when they closed. Anyone who knew Bill could tell he loved working with his hands and always preferred to be outdoors. He delighted in gardening, raising goats and cattle, shelling walnuts, and constructing all sorts of outbuildings. Bill was a whiz at home repairs and created several creative “fixes” to common problems around the house.
Baptized as a young man, Bill held a deep and steady faith throughout his life. As a young family they attended Villa Heights Christian Church, and then later Blendville Christian Church, both in Joplin, until his wife’s illness curtailed their ability to travel.
Bill was deeply loved by his family and friends and will be remembered as a faithful, hard-working, honest, and loyal father, husband, grandfather, co-worker, and friend. He will be missed by all who knew him.
In addition to his wife and parents he was preceded in death by two infant twin daughters, Helen Faye and Ellen Kaye Todhunter; sisters Mildred Dale and Helen Johnston; and brother, Richard Todhunter.
He is survived by two sons, Randall Todhunter and wife, Margaret, of Barling, AR, and Michael Todhunter and wife, Robbin, of Hickory, NC; granddaughter Angela Bramlett and children Victoria, Katianne, and Abigail Bramlett of Van Buren, AR; granddaughter Sarah Rose and children Eleanor, Grayson, and Simon Rose of Hickory, NC; grandson Jacob Todhunter of Barling, AR; and grandson Matthew Todhunter and wife Emily and children Liam, Elijah, and Nathaniel Todhunter of Hickory, NC.
In light of the current COVID-19 guidelines, private services will be held in Joplin on Friday, April 3 followed by interment with military honors in G.A.R. Cemetery in Miami, Oklahoma. A viewing opportunity with guestbook will be available 9:00 am – 5:00 pm at Parker Mortuary on Thursday, April 2.
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