William Kalahurka

William Kalahurka, 96, of Leawood, KS, passed away Thursday, May 8, 2014. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, May 13th, 9:30 a.m., at Cure of Ars Catholic Church, 9401 Mission Road, Leawood, KS, with entombment following in Resurrection Cemetery Mausoleum. Visitation will be held Monday, May 12th, at McGilley State Line Chapel, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shepherd Center Central of Kansas City or Alphapointe Association for the Blind.

Bill was born December 1, 1917 in St. Joseph, MO, where he graduated from Benton High School in 1935. In 1937, he moved to Baltimore, MD, as one of the first employees of the Social Security Administration. At the start of WWII, he joined the U.S. Army and was attached to the headquarters company of the 96th Infantry Division. Bill served in the Pacific Theatre and participated in the Okinawa landing. After the war, he lived in St. Louis, MO, where, in 1948, he married Rose Ann McGuire. Bill was an involved parent, volunteering his time as a scoutmaster and little league baseball coach. In 1966, he moved to the Kansas City area where he continued to work for the Social Security Administration. In 1977, he retired as Kansas and Nebraska area director for that agency’s Bureau of District Office Operations. He enjoyed an active retirement, traveling extensively and avidly pursuing his interests in golf, tennis and bowling.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife and four of his five siblings. He is survived by his two sons, Bill (Betti) Kalahurka and Terrence Kalahurka; a sister, Mary Eddins; three grandchildren, Bill (Stephanie), Katie, and Annie; two great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Condolences may be left online at www.mcgilleystatelinechapel.com. Arrangements, Mcgilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO, 64145.