Billy Joe Driesel, born May 30, 1938, to William Cecil and Mildred Viola Driesel in Raymondville, Missouri, passed from this earth November 15, 2024, at his home in Raymondville. He was united in marriage to Beverly Ann Daugherty on May 31, 1957, and to this union three children were born, Glenna Jo, Douglas Elwyn, and Robert William.
Billy Joe took great pride in his home community of Raymondville, and was most proud of his accomplishments as a young coach who led Raymondville‘s first basketball team ever to a nearly perfect record over his first two seasons. He led his team in time winning six games by a total of 101 points, all while playing sixth and seventh graders against eighth graders throughout the region. All while working at a lumber mill and working as the school custodian and helping his young daughter, Glenna learn the art of volleyball. Many years, Billy Joe was active in forest products, owning his own pallet mill and sawmill. He also helped in building the Missouri Forest Products Association, which was a very proud moment in his life. He was active in scouting with both sons, and was always eager to help his kids anytime they reached out and he was needed. At the time of his passing, hundreds and hundreds of accolades poured out on social media about this wonderful man who seem to have touched so many lives throughout his years on this earth. One of his proudest moments, even though he mostly kept it to himself, was that he found the Lord at a very late age in life, and proudly served Raymondville community church, and as long as his health permitted he never missed a Sunday Service or Bible Study. The worn pages and many lines drawn under phrases in his Bible shows a man eager to see the truth about his savior. Billy Joe spent the last three decades of his life working at Romines Motor Company, and made many lasting and forever friendships there. A community knew it could depend on him for an honest deal. At his desk was always farmers and longtime residents waiting to see him, knowing good old Billy Joe would treat them right.
An avid hunter and fisherman, he would spend most of his summer weekends on his houseboat and on various boats on Lake Norfork, his favorite place to retreat and relax. He loved to spend time there with his family, and he loved those waters and the solace they provided. When not in Norfork, you could see him fishing Piney River and Current River and never missed Turkey or Deer Season.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, Mildred and Cecil; his wife, Beverly Ann; and one nephew, David Michael Klotz. He is survived by his children, Glenna Adovasio (Tom) and Douglas Driesel (Amy), both of Cherokee Village, Arkansas and Robert William Driesel of the home; also, Jeff (Julie) Parker of Illinois, who Billy considered a part of the family, like a son, to the end; and one niece, Lori (Stanley)Floyd of Houston, MO. He also loved and cherished his grandchildren, Joseph Adovasio of Houston, TX, Doug Driesel, Jr. (Rachel) of Chicago, IL, Ian Driesel (Alissa) of Houston, MO, Christopher Driesel of Licking, Jessica (Lolo) Driesel of Providence Village, TX, and Jacob Driesel of Raymondville. He also loved his great grandchildren, Chandler, Adrian and Makenna. They brightened his world to the end.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contribtuions in Billy Joe’s name may be made to Vollmar Cemetery.
