William Warren Licklider

William Warren Licklider was born December 14, 1936, and took his last breath surrounded by his family on August 12, 2020. Born and raised in St. James, Missouri, Warren and the love of his life for 63 years, Jessie Juanita (Elrod) Licklider, raised three children, seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Warren, often called “W” by those that knew him, had a knack for picking out bulls, raising the biggest framed cattle biologically possible and growing top quality grassland hay. Throughout his life, Warren served many roles as a pipeline inspector, construction foreman, Bridge Specialist in the Army National Guard and a forklift operator. 

Warren attended Oklahoma A&M University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, from 1954-1955. There, he took ballroom dancing and often bragged that, “while all the other boys were out playing sports, he was inside dancing with the ladies.” For 40 years, Warren and Jessie raised American Quarter Horses, and at one time had 19 broodmares. He had a special love for his great cutting horse, Gummy. Warren was recognized multiple times by the University of Missouri Extension on his work with conservation, including grasslands and soil bank erosion. He and Jessie frequently hosted farm tours before “retiring” in 2000. He always felt it important to leave his farm better than when he found it.

Not afraid to speak his mind, Warren loved to engage in intense discussions on farming, politics, hunting or any other issue that he could use to get a rise out of a person. An avid reader and history enthusiast, Warren loved to share his knowledge with anyone who would listen and prided on the fact that he held the oldest issued library card from the St. James Public Library. Warren enjoyed hunting, being on the river, spending time with his family and all that farm life had to offer.

His bigger than life personality, strong (sometimes unwarranted) opinion and witty comebacks are just a few of the redeeming qualities that his friends and family will miss the most. Warren leaves behind his wife, Jessie; two sons Bill (Lynn) Licklider, Bryan (Jean) Licklider; a daughter Penny Beaner; as well as six granddaughters Kristina, Shannon, Beth, Sarah, Amy and Dani Licklider; one grandson, Will Beaner; five great grandchildren Blake, Liam, Madison, Levi and Abigail; his Arkansas nieces and nephews; other extended family members and many dear friends and his beloved dog, Amos. Warren is preceded in death by his infant son Joseph Elrod Licklider, parents William Jewell and Emma Jane (Young) Licklider and his sister Doris (Fred) Christie. 

Cremation arrangements have taken place. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Warren’s name to the James Memorial Public Library. 

Friends may send online condolences to Warren’s family at www.eatonfuneralhome.com

All arrangements were under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Sullivan.