Richard Louis Woolsey

Richard Louis Woolsey of St. James passed away Saturday, June 23, 2018 at his home with his family at his side. He was 80 years of age.

Richard Woolsey was born November 22, 1937 in Holts Summit, MO, the son of the late Louis Frank and Lois Herbert Davis Woolsey.

He was first united in marriage to Shirley Ann James  August 22, 1956 at St. James, Missouri.  He was united in marriage to Marilyn Sue Moreau Linke on May 7, 2006 at Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Marilyn survives at the family home.

Richard Woolsey is survived by his wife, Marilyn Sue Woolsey of St. James; Son: Ryan Moreau Linke and wife, Rachel of Dry Ridge, Kentucky; Daughters: Rhonda Gaye Woolsey of St. James, Susanne Kaye Woolsey of Rolla, Lana Renee Woolsey of Springfield, MO, Tamara Lynn Story and husband, Terrill of St. James and Cynthia Gail Linke of Springfield, MO; Sisters: Nina Petty of St. James and Jeri Hornkohl of Tullahoma, Tennessee. He is further survived by 15 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by one son, Vince Richard Woolsey who entered into rest May 6, 2006; one sister, Betty Lou Brasure who passed away in 2011 and brother-in-laws: Don Petty and Jim Hornkohl.

Richard Woolsey was a friend to all. He loved his family, and he especially loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Richard started school in a one room school house at Oak Forest later attending Red Bird and Bland, MO. He graduated in 1954 from John F. Hodge High School. In 1956, he attended School of Mines and enrolled in surveying and engineering classes; he worked part time while attending school for the Burch Company, a wholesale grocery, located in the old Cardetti Building. After completing classes, heworked for the Missouri Highway Department in Jeffferson City, MO. When Richard was 21, he became a police officer with the Rolla Police Department for a short while. In 1959, he moved to St. Louis where he spent many years in the law enforcement field. Returning to St. James in 1980, he hired on with the St. James Police Department as a lieutenant; he was promoted to Chief of Police in 1982. He continued as Chief of Police until his retirement in 1996. In his retirement life, he enjoyed being at home watching the Cardinals baseball team and playing cards. He was a skillful card player, and he enjoyed letting the family know of his winnings. In later years, he collected clocks and enjoyed traveling with Marilyn. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Richard Woolsey will lie in state Tuesday from 6-8 PM, June 26, 2018 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Mo.

Funeral Service will be conducted at 2:00 PM Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James with Jon Wells officiating. Burial will be in the St. James Cemetery.

On-line condolences may be entered at www.jonesfunerals.com

All arrangments are under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Mo.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard Louis Woolsey, please visit our floral store.