Bill Durham

John William “Bill” Durham, 79, passed from this life on January 26, 2026, at his home in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Bill was born in Halfway, Missouri, on Christmas Eve 1946 to Merle Elaine (Marsh) Durham and John Durham. Shortly after, the family moved to South Kansas City, where Bill built a childhood full of adventure. He carried fond memories of growing up with his siblings and a close circle of lifelong friends, with Swope Park serving as their backyard playground—camping, trapping, hiking, and getting into just enough trouble in the woods.

Bill attended local schools and graduated from Southeast High School, then promptly headed straight into the workforce at an automotive shop. He began a career in collision repair and refinishing, a craft he excelled at. As a young man, Bill and his brother founded Durham Bros. Auto Body. Over the years in the automotive industry, Bill formed countless friendships and professional relationships, eventually retiring from management with one of the largest auto repair conglomerates in the Kansas City area. Retirement didn’t slow him down for long; Bill launched a second career in RV sales, which he enjoyed until 2021. In recent years, he happily embraced being a homebody, staying busy with the house, the garden, the lawn, and heaven knows, the trash!

Bill lived life with the throttle wide open. Whether he was driving fast, tackling mountain trails in his Jeep, boating at the Lake of the Ozarks, riding motorcycles, or flying planes without a license, he chased adventure with fearless joy.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his brothers, Jimmie and Kenny, and his sister, Joyce. He is survived by his wife, Debra Robinson Durham; his five children and their spouses: Glenn (Maria) Durham, Jeffrey (MaryJo) Durham, Kenneth (Brenda) Durham, Christy Durham, and Elizabeth (Michael) Kephart; twelve grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.