Teddy L. Bilke
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Teddy L. Bilke, age 87, passed away Monday, November 18, 2019 in Athens, Texas after a lengthy illness. Ted was born July 28, 1932 in Seneca, Missouri, the son of Herman Clay and Grace Pauline (Williams) Bilke. He attended Warren's Branch School and Joplin Junior College where he made life-long friends that he kept up with until his passing.
In Joplin, Missouri he met and married Helen L. Selby. They shared 58 years together of a well-lived life. During that time, Ted served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. Afterward, he returned to Joplin and worked in the machine manufacturing industry until his retirement.
In addition to his parents and wife, Ted is preceded in death by his sister, Wanda Truxal and three brothers, George, Charlie and Marvin Bilke.
Ted moved to Malakoff, Texas in 2013 where he quickly became known for his sense of humor and storytelling. He loved nothing more than a good clean joke or a tale he could share. He enjoyed woodworking and loved sharing his creations with others, but the thing he was most proud of were his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Ted is survived by his children, Darrel Bilke and wife Dolores, Teddy I. Bilke and wife Luanne and daughter, Anita Hamilton and husband Jim; grandchildren, Andrew Hamilton and wife Terri, Kelly Hamilton, Ashley Bilke, Sean Bilke, Matthew Bilke and Clayton Bilke and two great-grandchildren, James and Creda Hamilton.
Services will be held in Seneca, Missouri in mid-December.