Joe Moulder

Billy Joe Moulder

Billy Joe Moulder, (78), of Camdenton, Missouri, passed away on April 20, 2024 after a brief bout with pneumonia.

Billy, known as Joe or Billy Joe to most of his family and friends, was born on November 21, 1945 to Othal Warren (nicknamed Pate) Moulder and Nell Margaret (Cline) Moulder in Springfield, Missouri. He was raised along with his sister Doris, on the family farms near Climax Springs, Missouri, where he learned the work ethic and integrity for which he was well known throughout his life. He attended and graduated from Climax Springs High School, where he was the president of his senior class.

While in school Billy Joe found the love of his life, Peggy Ann (Wood) Moulder. The two were united in marriage on August 9, 1964, and remained soulmates for nearly 60 years. Through that time they raised three children - Tracy, Matt, and Brad.

After graduation from high school, Billy Joe spent several years learning the skills that would eventually become his life’s work. Darrell Crainshaw, the husband of Billy Joe’s sister Doris, had become a good friend and mentor after Billy Joe’s father Pate passed away in 1960. Darrell invited Billy Joe to work with him - first in construction and stone masonry, before eventually transitioning to heavy equipment operation.

In the early to mid 1970’s, Billy Joe and Darrell built new homes for each of their two young families from the ground up, doing most of the work themselves after business hours and on weekends. Both houses featured beautiful rock fireplaces, with stones selected and masterfully built by hand. Peggy also helped out with the painting, sanding, staining, and wallpapering. It was a labor of love that exemplified the dedication and teamwork they both would show while building a house that would be their family’s loving home for the next fifty years.

In 1976, Billy Joe started his own business - B.J. Moulder Excavating. Known throughout the Lake of the Ozarks area for honesty and the high quality of his work, Billy Joe built a successful business fueled largely by word of mouth advertising and loyal repeat customers. He continued to own and operate the business until his retirement.

Joe loved spending time with his children, and could be seen nearly every evening after work playing and practicing different sports with his three kids in the yard. He also often served as a coach for Matt’s and Brad’s youth baseball teams in the local Camdenton summer leagues.

Joe really enjoyed traveling, often pulling a pop-up camper behind his pickup truck for regular family vacations to Branson, in addition to other destinations such as Colorado and Nashville. He also loved taking annual anniversary trips with Peggy.

Later, Joe gained great joy in his role as “Papa Joe” for his grandchildren. Always with a quiet nature, a kind heart, and an extraordinary level of patience, Billy Joe was loved deeply and adored by all of his family and friends.

Billy Joe Moulder is survived by his loving wife Peggy, daughter Tracy Crabtree (husband Tandy), son Matt (wife Christy), and son Brad (wife Beth). He had nine grandchildren: Rachel, Preston, Katie, Ann, Ty, Zoey, Morgan, Addison, and Annie.

Billy Joe is also survived by his one sister Doris Crainshaw (husband Darrell), nephew Ronald Crainshaw (wife Michelle), niece Sandra Hecker (husband Steve), along with a host of in-laws, cousins, great-nieces and nephews, and many good friends.

A private service will be held for the family at Allee-Holman Howe Funeral Home in Camdenton, MO on Saturday, May 4th followed by burial at the Climax Springs Cemetery at 2:00. Following the burial, the family would like to invite all friends and family for a Celebration of Life to be held at the Potter’s House on South Business Route 5 in Camdenton from 4:30-6:30 pm.

Arrangements are under the direction of Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home.