Bill Houston McElhaney

Bill was born June 17, 1938, in Chattanooga, Tennessee to Ralph and Vivan (Rogers) McElhaney. His Aunt Sarah McElhaney took a big role in his upbringing to support his parents with his four younger siblings. Bill was the first of his family to earn a college degree working at Combustion Engineering in the factory to save up for college. The first year he attended University of Chattanooga, now University of Tennessee Chattanooga, he played basketball when there were no scholarships. He gave up basketball to work and pay for his education.

Following graduation, he served in the US Army at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Bill then enjoyed a successful career of nearly 40 years with Central Soya, currently Archer Daniels Midland, starting in Chattanooga and making dear friends in Orangeburg, South Carolina, Muscatine, Iowa and Moberly, Missouri until moving to Kansas City to be closer to family.

Survivors include his loving wife for 64 years, Joyce (Mansel); son, Tim (Angie) McElhaney of Lake Waukomis; daughter, Mary (Molly) Scheiner of Sedalia; as well as grandchildren, Rachel (Jacob) Heafner in Huntsville, Alabama, Taylor (Lindsey) McElhaney of Kansas City and Nicholas (Avery Russell) McElhaney of Kansas City; great grandsons, Zebulon Heafner, Wesley McElhaney and a great granddaughter on the way. He also leaves behind his siblings, Bob (Lucy) McElhaney and Judy Kincer; sister-in-law, Jean Hamachek of Chattanooga, Tennessee; and several nieces, nephews, great-nephews, and great-nieces.

Bill was preceded in death by his brother, Steve; sister, Diane; brothers-in-law, Richard Kincer and Don Hamachek.

A private ceremony will be held with family on August 13, 2025. In lieu of flowers, sharing remembrances of Bill and words of comfort with the family would be greatly appreciated.