Wilda H. (Hunter) Cogdill, daughter of James “Jim” and Ada (Graven) Hunter, was born May 15, 1926, on the family farm in Astoria, the last of seven children. She departed this life on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 at Township Senior Living in Battlefield, at the age of 95 years, 6 months and 21 days. On May 19, 1951, in Branson, Wilda married Joe Allen Cogdill and he preceded her in death on April 7, 1999. Also preceding her in death were her parents; three sisters, Bernice Coday, June Speight and Joyce Coday; three brothers, Darrell, Don and Lavern Hunter; niece, Bonnie Jones; and two nephews, Jim Hunter and James Coday. Wilda graduated from Hartville High School in 1944; she then went on to attend Draughon’s Business College in Springfield, where she earned her degree. Wilda returned to Hartville and accepted a job in February 1946 in the Wright County Recorder’s Office.
On Jan. 1, 1947, she was hired by the late Judge E.L. Colton as clerk of the probate court. She worked for Judge Colton for 21 years. Wilda continued to work for different judges until she retired in September 1988. Having worked in the court system for 41 years, at the time of her retirement she was the longest full-time employee in the judicial system in the state of Missouri. Upon her retirement she was given the honor and distinction of being made an Honorary State Trooper. She is survived by her nephews; Sherman Cogdill, of Branson; John Hunter, of Aurora; Joe Hunter, of Park City, Utah; John Hunter, of Scottsdale, Ariz.; Byron Hunter, of Neosho; Roger Coday, of Columbia; Tom Coday, of Seattle, Wash.; Larry Speight, of Florida; Brent Speight, of Montgomery City; Mark Speight, of Springfield; and Donald Gordon, of Anchorage, Alaska; nieces, Judy Zollinger, of Louisiana; Sarah Whitt, of Jefferson City; Kenna Brunner, of Stigler, Okla.; Tiffany Quiring, of Branson; Suzanne Lippard, of Columbia; Carla Haggard, of Columbia; and Gayle Hall, of Ozark; many great-nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
She was a sports lover, especially, Duke Basketball, Missouri State Lady Bears and the St. Louis Cardinals. She loved spending time watching and cheering for her favorite sports teams. Wilda found joy in spending time with her family, listening to gospel music and fishing for catfish at the family farm; the real joy came from eating the catfish she caught! She also loved watching wildlife, especially, deer, turkey, birds and hummingbirds. She was a loving aunt, caring neighbor and faithful friend.
“When I die, I shall then have my greatest grief and my greatest joy- my greatest grief that I have done so little for Jesus, and my greatest joy that Jesus has done so much for me” “As the father has loved me, so have I loved you” John 15:9
