William Jesse James Heard (Seymour)'s Obituary
William Jesse James Heard was born November 3, 1937, in Purdy, Missouri, to Virgil E. and Betty Jane (Haney) Heard. He departed this earthly life surrounded by loved ones Friday, July 26, 2019, at his home in rural Seymour, Missouri. Jess, as he was known to all, was eighty-one years, eight months, and twenty-three days of age.
Jess was raised in rural Seymour and attended Gentry School. He joined the United States Navy and proudly served our country from 1955 to 1958. On June 8, 1956, in Three Rivers, Texas, Jess married Wanda Lale Heard, and to this union three daughters were born. Jess retired from copper mining in Bagdad, Arizona, then moved back to Missouri in 1985 to start his own successful excavating business. He retired a second time after thirty dedicated years.
Jess never met a stranger and was not one to sit around for long. He once took a class on how to make jewelry and continued to enjoy making silver and turquoise jewelry. He was also a small-engine airplane enthusiast and had his pilot’s license. Jess was a member of Ozark Mountain Pentecostal Church in Ozark, Missouri. He enjoyed attending and teaching bible study, until health and distance would not allow.
In addition to his parents, Jess was preceded in death by two brothers, Floyd Heard and Virgil Heard; and five sisters, Marie Cantrell, Loretta Bruton, Hazel Heard, Mable Evans, and Margaret Cummings.
Jess is survived by his devoted wife, Wanda, with whom he shared sixty-four years; their daughters, Marilyn Platt, Debra and Mike Ross, and Jesslyn and Robert Bennett; brother, Jerry and Linda Heard; three sisters, Jane Swearengin, June Bennett, and Twylah and Daryll Willard; five grandchildren, John and Marcy Platt, Jason and Sara Johnson, Jesse Platt, Stephen Stearns II, and Jennifer and Tim Lipford; nine great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
William Jesse James Heard was a loving husband, father and grandfather, a loyal brother and caring friend. He made a lifetime of memories and moments that will be cherished by family and friends.
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