Joyce Arden Wilcox

Joyce A. Wilcox age 80, of Clearwater passed away Sunday, January 16, 2005 at Antelope Memorial Hospital in Neligh, Ne. Funeral services were at 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, January 19, 2005 at the Concordia Lutheran church with Pastor Daniel Feusse officiating. Music was provided by Caroline Jaeke, organist. Pallbearers were Dale Wolfe, Gary Wolfe, Mike Wolfe, Kenneth Peters, Cory Allemang, and Aaron Rommers. Honorary Bearers were Christopher Wilcox, Matthew Wilcox, Natalie, Wilcox, and Amanda Wilcox. Burial was in the Clearwater Cemetery with military graveside rites provided by American Legion Post #267 of Clearwater. Snider Memorial Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Joyce Arden Wilcox was born at Clearwater, Nebraska, on March 26, 1924. He was the fifth son of nine children born to Gail and Lulu Mae (Rodgers) Wilcox. Joyce and his siblings grew up on a farm and attended country school southwest of Clearwater. It was a large happy family that always enjoyed being together even after they were married and left home. Joyce was a World War II Veteran having been drafted into the Army in 1944, at the age of twenty. He served in the Pacific Theater and was a Purple Heart Recipient having been combat wounded in Okinawa. Joyce received his honorable discharge from the Army in 1946 and returned home to Clearwater. He found work in Clearwater and began to court a young lady who lived only a couple miles away from him while they were growing up. On June 26, 1946, Norma Jeane Wolfe became his wife. Like their ancestors, they settled down in Clearwater where they raised their three children- Jim, Joel and Julie. Joyce had many different jobs. Among them were road and bridge construction, carpenter, mechanic and attendant at three gas stations, mechanic and salesman at two car dealerships, rural route mail carrier sub, truck driver for two different truck companies, handyman, and a road grader operator for Antelope County Road Department. For several years Joyce and Jeane owned and operated the Westside Caf� in Clearwater. Joyce�s last job before his retirement was a tank wagon driver for Union Oil Co-op. Joyce wasn�t the type that could set around. He had to be doing something all the time. He liked to putter and he liked to visit but, not necessarily in that order. He would visit with everyone he came in contact with and never knew a stranger. If he met a stranger, they didn�t stay that way for long because if you visited with Joyce for a short time, you felt like you knew him all of his life. Joyce enjoyed being with his family and was excited when the grandchildren came along. He used to love to tell the grandchildren his stories. Joyce was a Life Member of the American Legion Post #267 and a member of the Concordia Lutheran Church. He is survived by his wife Norma Jeane Wilcox of Clearwater, sons: Jim Wilcox of Clearwater and Joel and Tammy Wilcox of Lincoln, NE; a daughter Julie Wilcox of Torrington, WY; Grandchildren: Christopher and Kathi Jo Wilcox of Falls City, NE, Matthew Wilcox of Torrington, WY, Natalie and Amanda Wilcox of Lincoln, NE; Brothers Dennis �Bob� Wilcox of Tilden, Bennie Wilcox of Clearwater; a sister Constance Spangler of O�Neill, and a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Gail and Lulu Mae Wilcox; a granddaughter Tiffany Jo Wilcox; brothers Donald, Ralph, Warren, Wayne and William. He will be missed by all.