Bill is survived by his wife Marilyn of 60 years, his daughter Julia Hoffmeister, sons Bryant Poythress, and David Poythress. He is also survived by his loving Grandchildren Jacob Hoffmeister, Travis Poythress, Jenny McCoy, Noah Julian Poythress, Rachel Hoffmeister, Anna Hoffmeister, and Grant Hoffmeister and a brother Julian Poythress.
Bill joined the Navy on the day before his eighteenth birthday and served during the last two years of World War II. After his honorable discharge in 1946, he returned to his training as a plumber moving to Kansas City in 1951. He immediately joined the Plumbers Local Union #8, where he remained a beloved member the rest of his life. After receiving his licensure as a Master Plumber he eventually started and operated his own small business, Antioch Plumbing Company Inc.
Bill became a Christian in 1957 when led to Christ by Dr. Alvin Hause at Bales Baptist Church which he attended faithfully for many years. He met a beautiful young TWA employee in 1958, a relationship that would last the rest of his lifetime. Having enjoyed a brief stint as a welterweight boxer during his Navy years, he brought his new love to a local Golden Gloves tournament on one date, and to Bales Church on another. Although the boxing tournament was soon forgotten, the visit to Bales was life changing. As if for the first time, Marilyn heard the gospel and felt the love of Christ clearly. Through Bill’s faithful love and obedience to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Marilyn’s name was soon entered into the Lamb’s Book of Life. Married the next spring, in April 1958, they faithfully served the Lord together for the next 60 years. For many years we was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous and helped many individuals and families in their struggle with alcoholism and in spreading the good news of God’s forgiveness to the broken and castaways of life. Their idyllic life was interrupted by the birth of their children, first a daughter Julia, then a son Bryant and then, the greatest joy of their lives, their youngest son, David.
Bill was not satisfied with his successes as a plumber and in 1979 was licensed as a Missouri Real Estate Broker. Marilyn soon joined him, and together they provided caring and professional Real Estate services for the Kansas City Northland until retiring in 2002 at age 77. He was active in local and national politics, always working to improve and enrich understanding and adherence to the Constitution.
Bill’s passion for formative education and phonetic reading skills were instrumental in all of his grandchildren being home schooled. He believed reading was crucial to giving children the best opportunity of discovering God’s plan for themselves. He loved his country and sought to instill that love of our American Heritage in his grandchildren as well. They all have fond memories of Grandpa and Grandma’s field trips to local historic sites and especially those times when he gave them each a small American flag, and joined them in marching throughout the house with Johnny Horton's "The Battle of New Orleans" blaring at maximum volume!
We ask that you join with us in celebrating the life of this loveable, hardheaded, exasperating, inspiring, determined, dauntless and FORGIVEN child of God who was our Husband, Father, Grandfather and Friend.
