Tom was born to Jesse “Leon” Woolsey and Marcella, nee Harmon, Woolsey, on November 21, 1943, in Sparta, IL. He attended Sparta High School. Soon after high school, Tom began working at Spartan International Printing Company in Sparta, IL. He was employed there as a Bindery Machine Operator for over 30 years until the plant closed. He finished his working career at Plus Communications in St. Louis, MO, until his retirement in 2006.
Tom was a loyal, dedicated, hard working man whose sense of accomplishment came from building and repairing for those around him. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed his days spent hunting, fishing, and camping. He was a member of the Randolph County Gun Club. Tom respected all people and animals and was especially fond of his pets. Later in life, he enjoyed watching Gunsmoke, Wagon Train, and Cardinals baseball.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Marcella, nee Harmon, Woolsey; and brothers, Harry and Richard Woolsey
Surviving are his wife, Joyce Kempf, whom he married June 9, 2006;
a son, William (Gwen) Woolsey of Chester, IL;
stepsons, Timothy Kempf and Jeffrey (Carrie) Kempf;
three grandchildren, William, Elizabeth, and Jack;
step-grandchildren, Dylan Kempf, and Jackson and Brooklynn Kempf;
step-great-grandchildren, Blake and Ian Kempf;
nephews, Ryan (Jennifer) Woolsey, and Jeremy (Deena) Woolsey;
and a niece, Becky Woolsey Hogan.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family and will be accepted at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, August 17, 2020, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, 120 North Illinois Street, Belleville, IL. Standard CDC guidelines will be in place upon entrance.
Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 17, 2020, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, with Rev. Larry Patton officiating.
Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Collinsville, IL.