As a boy growing up during the Great Depression, Bill was always enterprising, doing all sorts of odd jobs to make money, including being a camp counselor for several years. He loved radio shows, raised pigeons, and collected marbles and baseball cards. In 1950 Bill married his high school sweetheart, Lois Gertz. The young couple moved to Overland Park, Kansas, where they built their lives. Together they raised three daughters-Sally, Sharon and Sandi. Bill was a wonderful father to his girls and a wonderful grandfather to their children. We were all very lucky to have him.
Bill was a lifelong salesman who quickly rose to leadership positions in several companies before making the decision to branch out on his own, forming the Village Real Estate company, where he was owner and broker-in-charge. He was active in DeMolay, served in the Navy Reserves, and was a lifelong Mason.
Bill lived large. He was a fantastic cook, a great storyteller, wrote poetry, and was known for his world-class treasure hunt Halloween parties. His life reflected his faith. He was the most honest person you could ever meet, and he lived by the Golden Rule. Both through his testimony and through the example of his life, he led many to Christ. He was a lifelong member of Roeland Park United Methodist Church where he served as a Sunday School teacher and lay minister.
Bill was preceded in death by his much-loved wife Lois and precious daughter Sandi, as well as his parents, his brother Jack, and sister-in-law Betty Ann. He is survived by his daughters Sally (Rick) Vannaman, of Overland Park; Sharon (Dave) Olive, of Pawleys Island, SC; son-in-law Todd Morgan, of Mission Hills, grandchildren Joe, Josh, Jake, Sarah (Clint), Jonathan (Molly), Jeremy, and TJ; great-grandchildren Hyas, Ole and Micah; and sister-in-law Mary as well as his nieces and nephews and many loving friends.
The service will be held at 10:00am at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, 13720 Roe Avenue, Leawood, Kansas, with visitation at 9:30am. Interment will immediately follow the service at Mount Moriah Cemetery South, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri.
Memorial Contributions in honor of Bill may be made to the Missions Ministry of Church of the Resurrection. Mail to: Church of the Resurrection, Attn: Memorial Gifts, 13720 Roe Avenue, Leawood KS 66224
