W. Perry Woolsey, 82, of Festus died Sept. 24, 2023, at his home. Mr. Woolsey grew up in Southern Missouri picking cotton as the son of a sharecropper. He moved to St. Louis and spent his entire 35-year career at Boeing/McDonnell Douglas. He loved country music and attending bluegrass festivals, where he made many friends. He enjoyed working in his yard and spending time with his family. He is remembered as a loving provider who believed in the Ten Commandments and lived his life accordingly. Born Jan. 27, 1941, in Charter Oak, he was the son of the late Oma Marie (Cox) and Jasper Ray Woolsey.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years: Shirley Marie (Thurston) Woolsey, whom he married on Aug. 12, 1961; two daughters: Christina (Francis) Renschen of Waterloo, Ill., and Tricia (Tony) Sousan of south St. Louis County; four grandchildren: Chad (Nicki) Jones, Ryan (Christina) Jones, Kelsey Sousan and Joshua Sousan; one great-grandchild: Zeke Jones; two siblings: Kenneth (the late Betty) Woolsey of Arnold and Nora (Jim) Goodyear of Warsaw, Mo.; a sister-in-law: Connie (Grady) Brady of Farmington; and many other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents-in-law: Dorothy and Waldo Thurston.
Visitation is scheduled from 10 a.m. until noon Thursday, Sept. 28, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus. A graveside service will follow at the Shepherd Hills Cemetery in Barnhart. Memorials may be made to the Parkinsons Foundation. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.