Bill George

Bill passed away on August 20th, 2011 doing what he really loved: he was a Motor Cycle Escort in a funeral procession.

Bill attended Eastwood Elementary School, Eastgate Junior High and graduated from North Kansas City in 1970.

He proudly served 6 years in the Navy, which included 2 tours in Vietnam. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, the Bronze Star and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/1960’s device.

He met the love of his life in 1974 and in July of 1982 Bill and Liz Tatman were married. They learned about life and commitment as they went along.

“Daddy’s Girl” Sydney Elizabeth was born in August of 1987. Sydney is pretty much a carbon copy of her Dad.

Bill leaves behind his wife Liz, his daughter Sydney, sisters Barbara Martin and Frances Brooks, brothers Donald “Butch” George, Michael George, Jim George and Kelly Dickerson and a dozen assorted nieces and nephews.

In October of 2010 Liz decided that Bill needed to have a heart scan and it was a good thing he did. In December of 2010 he survived triple by-pass heart surgery. But then that was the best part of Bill…..his heart.

Bill, Liz and Sydney lived in Roeland Park, Kansas in an area where their neighbors were their friends. If you lived in the neighborhood, you knew Bill was the “Go To Guy” that everyone depended on. If you ever needed help or needed something fixed, Bill was the one to call.

Everyone in the neighborhood knew the George family, especially Bill. Megan Carson said “Nine times out of ten he would be blocking the street talking to one of the neighbors.” Jane Bakerman said “He was the glue to the neighborhood.” Heather said “One day a kid on a bike on the street said to Bill: I can beat you, old man! So, Bill being Bill challenged him back and said OK, I’ll race you for pink slips. Meet me here in the morning. Well, the kid never showed up but all the neighbors did to cheer him on.”

Anyone who knew Bill heard him say a million times “Paint it…..even if it moves.”

You name it, Bill could fix it; but when it came to his smart phone….he was challenged. And texting….that was another story. Another friend remembers Bill sending a text to someone who used to say “Calm Down” all the time so as a joke Bill sent him a text that he thought said calm down but what it really said was CLAM DOWN. He never did live that one down.

Whenever Bill was around he was always the center of attention. Not by design but just by being there.

Bill operated an HVAC Service Company and a Lawn Service Company. But he was much more than a business owner. He helped everyone who asked. You just knew you could count on him. Everyone who knew him has a story of how he helped them in some way.

Bill was a husband, a father, a brother, an uncle, a neighbor, a friend and so much more. He will be greatly missed by more people than we can even say. And yes even though he is gone, his memory will stay in the hearts of those who loved him and those he loved. I am sure he is happy to know that he is still the center of attention. We love you Bill and we will miss you.