William Joseph Tankersley was born in Okeechobee, Florida on November 30, 1960 to Lester Franklin and Janie Elizabeth Tankersley. He passed away Saturday, June 10, 2017. Joe graduated from Okeechobee High School in 1978 and entered the electrical trade shortly after. In 1981, Joe married Linda Marie Godwin. Joe became a Master Electrician and after many years in the trade, owned and operated his own electrical contracting business. Joe also received his Bachelors of Science degree in Pastoral Studies from Baptist Bible College in 1993. He was ordained as a Southern Baptist minister in 2006. He was most recently a member of First Baptist church of Chadwick where he taught the Adult Sunday School Class.
Joe is survived by his wife, Linda (Nixa), a son Jonathan and wife Jessica (Rogersville), and two grandsons, Caleb and Joseph. Other survivors include his father, Lester Tankersley and wife Shirley (Nobleton, FL); a brother Jeff Tankersley and wife Cynthia (Pope, MS) and their sons Joshua and Zachary Ward; a sister Becky McKee and husband Ryan (Okeechobee, FL) and nephews Jerry and Jacob McKee.
Joe was preceded in death by his mother, daughter Jenna, and son Daniel.
Joe accepted Jesus as his Savior at a young age. He loved studying his Bible and teaching Sunday School. He was an avid outdoorsman when opportunity allowed. One of his greatest joys was being "Paw-Paw" to Caleb and Joseph.
Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, June 14, in Adams Funeral Home, Ozark. Burial will follow in Chadwick Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 - 8:00 PM Tuesday in the funeral home.