Billy Ray Vider

Billy (Bill) Ray Vider, Kansas City, Kansas passed away December 9, 2021. He was born in Leckie, West Virginia (McDowell County) in 1937. At the time of his death he was 84 years old, although he often joked that he was only 42.

Billy’s younger years were spent in West Virginia, where he attended the Pentecostal Holiness Church with his family twice weekly. As a teenager he traveled “east” to car auctions purchasing cars for resell. He both built and raced cars on the weekends and was known to haul “moonshine” on the back roads of West Virginia. His nephew once said, “Billy lived the life most guys only dream of.”

As an adult, he moved to Kansas for work and never left, calling Kansas City, Kansas (Wyandotte County) his home. He enjoyed old and classic cars, owning several over the years. He often participated in the Good Guys Car Show with his 1970 Mercury. He bought his “hometown” 1938 Chevy Firetruck from Anawalt, West Virginia, restored it and drove in many local parades over the years.

Billy’s favorite hobbies included collecting antiques and unique items, which he often referred to as his “yard art”. He crafted items out of these saved treasures for family and friends. Silver spoon wind chimes, farm wheel sunflowers and customized wooden bird houses were his specialty.

He was especially devoted to his two pet cats, Sparkey and Zip and loved to relax in the recliner with a cat on his lap.

Billy (Bill) was known for his offbeat and dry humor. He knew no stranger and loved to share his many adventures, words of wisdom and life stories with everyone he met. Sometimes he even carried photos or a framed car picture to share.

Billy was a very proud 50 year plus member of the Operating Engineers Local 101 Union, retiring as an Operator in 1999. Other work included coal mining in West Virginia and later tunneling/boring in Kansas, Missouri, Texas, Arkansas and Hawaii.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Luther and Bertha Vider; his first wife, Bettye Lou Williams who died in 1976; two step-children, Joyce and Jimmy; several nieces and nephews; and many life-long friends. Also preceding him in passing were nine siblings, William, Ernest, James, Madelyn, Martha, Dorothy, Mollie, Nettie, and Gloria May (his twin sister). All of their spouses preceded him in death as well.

He is survived by his wife of almost 30 years, Debra LaRue Stroud-Vider. Billy and Debra were married on Valentine’s Day, 1992. Also surviving are his step-children, Karen Williams from California and Donald Williams from Arizona; brother-in-law, Monte F. Stroud and his wife Stephanie from Colorado; multiple nieces and nephews in Colorado, Virginia, and West Virginia; and many other extended family.

The family would like to extend sincere and heartfelt thanks to the staff and caregivers at St. Joseph Place, Overland Park, including Dr. David Edalati and his medical team. The excellent care, friendship, support and kindness provided over the past months to Billy will always be appreciated. Also thank you to Good Shepherd Hospice staff and caregivers who joined to help with Billy’s final journey.

To know Billy was to love Billy, the many fond memories will keep him alive in our hearts forever.

A visitation for Billy will be from 1-2 pm, with a funeral service beginning at 2 pm, Monday, December 20, 2021 at Chapel Hill-Butler Funeral Home, 701 N. 94th Street, Kansas City, Kansas 66112. A graveside service will be immediately following in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions are suggested to Alzheimer’s Association, 3846 W. 75th St, #4126, Prairie Village, KS 66208 or American Stroke Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284.