Joseph Michael "Joe" Wilcox

Joseph Michael Wilcox, 47, of Shelbyville, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly in the home on February 13, 2026.

Joe was born on January 2, 1979, to his loving parents John and Judy Wilcox. Joe's 47 years were a miracle. He was born prematurely at University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri, weighing only 2 pounds. He beat the odds, and was one of the first babies that small to survive there at the time.

He went on to live a full life. He graduated from North Shelby High School and later from boot camp at Fort Benning in Georgia. He was a true outdoorsman and loved to go deer hunting, mushroom hunting, and arrowhead hunting. He had an amazing knack for being able to spot them.

Joe married Ali Barker on October 16, 2010 in Columbia, MO and welcomed their first daughter Brylee and later their second daughter Ila.

He was loved by many. He is survived by his parents, his wife and daughters, his brothers John (JoAnn) and Jake (Rena), several nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Raymond and Martha Wilcox, his maternal grandparents Paul and Peggy Racey, an uncle John Courtney, and cousins Foster Courtney, Jim Racey, and Jeff Racey.

He loved his family more than anything. Joe waited a long time for his daughters and he was their hero. He was preparing to go pick them up from school when he was called to the Lord. He was an amazing dad and Brylee and Ila were his light, his joy and his purpose.

His family will miss him always.

Funeral service will be held at 12 pm on Friday, February 20, 2026 at the Greening-Eagan-Hayes Funeral Home in Shelbina, MO, with Pastor Mitchell Seaton officiating. Burial will follow in the Shelbina Cemetery. Visitation will be held prior to the funeral service starting at 9 am. In honor of Brylee and Ila, the family suggests memorials be made to the Joe Wilcox Memorial Fund held at Community State Bank.