Billy Joe Tomlinson July 2, 1924 - September 13, 2011

Billy Joe Tomlinson, age 87 of Ozark, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at St. John’s Medical Center. He was born on July 2, 1924, in Lock Springs, Missouri. He served in the United States Navy during World War II as an aircraft mechanic in the Marshall Islands. He then worked in the aircraft industry for many years after the war. One of his greatest honors was going to Washington, D.C., on the Ozarks Honor Flight as a WWII veteran earlier this year. His hobbies included golf, the Cardinals, gardening, MSU Lady Bears, daily afternoon coffee meetings, and walking his beloved pet dog, BJ. He was preceded in death by his parents, Keith and Thelma Tomlinson, brother Robert Tomlinson and wife Jackie, and an infant sister. He is survived by his wife, Carlee, daughters Marti McGee and husband Jim, Terry Wood and husband Greg, sons Billy Tomlinson, Jr. and wife Janice, Larry Heckman and wife Nancy, and Jim L. Heckman and wife Debi. He is survived by 11 grandchildren: Amy McGee, Ryan McGee and wife Jessica, Justin Tomlinson and wife Molly, Brandon Tomlinson, Joel Tomlinson, Sherry Jackson, Christina Valdez and husband Jay, Amber Martin and husband Chris, Andrea Hughes and husband Colby, Casey Heckman, and James Heckman. He is also survived by 8 great-grandchildren;two nieces, Debbie Jenkins and husband Lyle and Susan Geran and husband John.