William Roger Yoakum, of rural Dixon, was born on January 4, 1939, in Maries County, a son of William Edmund and Leatha Azalea (Branson) Yoakum, and departed this life at 4:10 a.m., Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in the Phelps County Regional Medical Center, Rolla. Mr. Yoakum had been in failing health and had attained the age of 74 years, 6 months, and 5 days.

Mr. Yoakum was first united in marriage to Betty Joann Dressendofer, who preceded him in death on May 7, 1984. He was later united in marriage on November 13, 1992, in Dixon, to Rena Marie Burns. In addition to his first wife, Mr. Yoakum was preceded in death by his father on January 9, 2008 and his mother on May 5, 2004.

Mr. Yoakum was baptized in 1960 while attending the Macedonia Baptist Church. He had worked for the Missouri Department of Transportation for 30 years as an assistant Road Construction Inspector and in Traffic Control, retiring in 1996. He was also owner and operator of Yoakum Fur Company for over 40 years, a processor and distributor of raw fur products. Mr. Yoakum enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially fishing for Bass, gardening and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mr. Yoakum include: his wife, Rena Yoakum, of the home in rural Dixon; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Roger L. and Susan Yoakum; Stanley "Stan" Yoakum and Matthew and Stacey Yoakum, all of Dixon; one brother, Rodney Yoakum, Dixon; one sister, Nedra Jean (Jeannie) Rhoads, Republic; seven grandchildren, Ryan, Lauren, Hank, Chantry, Slater, Charlotte and Tyson; and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted for Mr. Yoakum at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 12, 2013, in the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Chapel, Dixon, with Rev. Trevor Yoakum, International Mission Board, Southern Baptist, Richmond, Virginia, officiating. Sherry Bradbury sang "Amazing Grace" and Ryan Yoakum sang "I've Got A Mansion Just Over The Hilltop" for the funeral service.

Interment was in the Macedonia Cemetery near Rolla, under the direction of the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Dixon. Pallbearers for Mr. Yoakum were Travis Yoakum, Robert Yoakum, Duane VanScoy, Lee Neese, James Helton, Harold Campbell, James Humphrey and James Lee.

Memorials are suggested to the wishes of the family with envelopes available at the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Dixon.