A graveside service will be held Friday, May 10, 2024 for 94-year-old James “Jimmy Ray” Raymond Woelich, Sr., of Sainte Genevieve, Mo. who passed away Sunday, April 21, 2024 at his home in Ste. Genevieve.
He was born September 16, 1929 in Neeleys Landing, Mo., son of Joseph Woelich and Janie A. (Warren) Woelich, who both preceded him in death.
He married Norma J. (Sauerhage) Woelich. She preceded him in death.
She is survived by two sons: James (Elaine) Raymond Woelich, Jr. and Ricky (Deborah Ann) Woelich of Sainte Genevieve, Mo.; a sister: Loretta (Belated Jack) Steinmann; a sister-in-law: Donna (Belated Bill) Sauerhage; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a daughter: Beverly A. (Walter) Eckert; four brothers: Marvin “Dick” Woelich, Clyde Woelich, Joseph “Bud” Woelich, and Larry Woelich; two sisters: Marge Freed and Dolly Hagen.
Jim went to school at Neely’s until sixth grade. Jim proudly taught himself how to read with the Holy Bible.
He went to work with his brother and his father in Neely’s Landing.
He then worked on the river as a deckhand for barges on the Mississippi and after marriage he settled in Sainte Genevieve.
Jim worked for Mississippi Lime and retired as a foreman and pilot for their barge loading facility.
After retirement, he worked twenty years for the Sainte Genevieve Herald Newspaper delivering papers and providing river stages and weather reports.
In his spare time, Jim enjoyed fixing lawn mowers.
He loved his simple life and most of all, his family.
A service for 94-year-old James “Jimmy Ray” Raymond Woelich, Sr., of Sainte Genevieve, Mo. will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, May 10, 2024 at the Crestlawn Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
Online condolences can be left at www.baslerfuneralhome.com