Billy Lee McClanahan

Early Tuesday morning on July 11, 2023, Bill moved into God’s heavenly house to join his beloved wife Mary Jane to whom he was married 66 years. He was the second child born to Roberta and Leonard McClanahan on September 24, 1931 in Clay County, Kansas City, Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mary, parents, sister Lois Jean Dauck (Edward), granddaughter Amy McClanahan, brothers-in-laws and sisters-in-laws, Glen Rodenberg (Betty), Harold Rodenberg (Lois), Edwin, and Michael Weber. Bill is survived by daughter Kimberly McClanahan who is living in the Kansas City family home. Son Chris McClanahan (Lily) lives in Brentwood, California. He is also survived by Grandsons Cory McClanahan of Brooksville, Florida, and Mark Joseph Anson (Julie) of Moorestown, New Jersey. Granddaughter Mary Jean Molina is mother to great-grandsons Liam and Logan of Olathe, Kansas. He also leaves behind sister-in-law Joann Lollman (Jim) and Lorene Weber, and many nieces and nephews.

As a youth, Bill graduated eighth grade in 1945 from the one room Munger School and from North Kansas City High School in 1949. He received a bachelor degree from William Jewell College in 1955 and a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Missouri at Columbia in 1959. During the Korean Conflict, Bill proudly served stateside in the Air Force as a clerk typist in the 28th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, from March 1951 to December 1952 and was stationed at Weaver, South Dakota.

On January 13, 1952 he married Mary Jane (Rodenberg) and they lived in the same home their entire marriage. With their blended talents they expanded the home several times and they also enjoyed assisting family and friends with their projects. Bill started his 30 year career in education teaching fifth and sixth grade in the one room schoolhouse in Birmingham, Missouri in 1955. The next year he taught at Norclay Elementary School and later in 1960, he served six years as principal at Chouteau Elementary School. The last 19 years of his career were spent as principal at Linden West Elementary School which was the NKC district’s largest elementary school. As a member of the Track and Field and football teams in high school and William Jewel College, it was no surprise to his staff to see him on the playground with the kids.

Bill and Mary really enjoyed entertaining and sharing meals in their home with family and friends. They played bridge, board games and ping pong. During his kids’ teen and college years, their basement door was always unlocked and a small refrigerator was stocked with pop, providing a welcome environment for their kids and their friends to socialize and play six pocket pool. At their lake house, Bill taught many kids and adults how to water ski. A teacher friend invited our family to Medicine Bow Wyoming to snow ski and the whole family was easily hooked on the sport. The very next year Bill and Mary were organizing carloads of church and school friends for trips to Dillon, Colorado to learn to snow ski. Even into his 80’s, Bill was so excited to be physically fit enough to ski down those mountains! He was also an avid golf fan both on and off the course. He enjoyed many rounds of golf with his golfing buddies and loved watching the golf matches on television.

During their well-earned retirement years, Bill and Mary were able to travel all over the US in their treasured conversion van that accumulated 365,000 miles. They ventured crossed the Pacific Ocean to visit Chris and Lily where they toured China and walked the Great Wall. The Old Glory Honor Flight took them to Korea with Wayne and Millie Croy. A few years later they ventured across the Atlantic to explore Europe, the Great Pyramids and so much more!

McMurry United Methodist Church on the hill in Claycomo was their lifetime church. Bill’s exceptional leadership and organizational skills enabled him to masterfully bring together licensed tradesmen and volunteers on the church’s building expansions, and to help build lodges at the church camp in Lawson Missouri. The radio was usually playing country music at home, but over the years Bill found great comfort and pleasure in listening to and attending concerts put on by the Gaither Gospel Band. He even joined the church choir to learn to sing and read music. Some would say he spent more time pranking the director and pastor as he was not a somber soul.

Bill was faithful to his God and was an immensely proud citizen. He was always welcoming, and his generous strong handshake, friendly smile and heartwarming hugs will never be forgotten.

As they grew older, Bill and Mary both made it quite clear, to family they would rather their loved ones celebrate their glorious transition, rather than to mourn their passing.

Friends are welcome to join the family for the interment of Bill’s ashes with Mary’s in the columbarium in the McMurry United Church courtyard at 11:30 on Sunday, September 24, 2023, which would have been Bill’s 92nd birthday. A picnic lunch will follow the interment at noon in the fellowship hall.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dwnwhitechapel.com for the McClanahan family.

In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested memorial contributions in Bill’s memory to: McMurry United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, located at 25 North Eugene Field Road, Kansas City Missouri 64119